Gastrointestinal (GI)-Specific patient reported outcomes instruments differentiate between renal transplant patients with or without GI symptoms: results from a South American cohort
2008

GI Symptoms and Quality of Life in Renal Transplant Patients

Sample size: 62 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Gerardo Machnicki, Jacqueline Pefaur, Luis Gaite, Ana M Linchenco, Clemente Raimondi, Ruben Schiavelli, Alcira Otero, Mary Kay Margolis

Primary Institution: Global Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp

Hypothesis

Do GI-specific patient-reported outcomes instruments differentiate between renal transplant patients with or without GI symptoms?

Conclusion

The GSRS and GIQLI are valid and reliable for assessing GI symptoms and health-related quality of life in South American renal transplant patients.

Supporting Evidence

  • The GSRS and GIQLI demonstrated high internal consistency.
  • Test-retest reliability was adequate for most subscales.
  • Patients with GI complaints reported higher GSRS scores than those without.
  • GIQLI scores were lower in patients with GI complaints.
  • The instruments distinguished between varying levels of GI complication severity.

Takeaway

This study shows that two questionnaires can help doctors understand how kidney transplant patients feel about their stomach issues and overall health.

Methodology

Patients completed the GSRS, GIQLI, and PGWB at baseline and at 4–6 weeks; reliability and validity were assessed.

Limitations

The study had a relatively small sample size and used translations of instruments that may not have been optimally culturally adjusted.

Participant Demographics

{"mean_age":42,"gender_distribution":{"male":57,"female":43},"transplant_type":{"deceased":65,"living":35},"GI_events":68}

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1477-7525-6-53

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