The strong associations between symptom clusters and depressive symptoms and the physical and mental domains of HRQOL should lead to an increased focus on symptom-alleviating interventions. Additional research is warranted to determine whether treatment of symptom clusters rather than single symptoms will improve HRQOL.

BackgroundLittle is known how health related quality of life (HRQOL) change in the transition from dialysis to renal transplantation (RTX). Longitudinal data addressing the patient-related outcomes are scarce, and particularly data regarding kidney-specific HRQOL are lacking. Thus, the aim of the current study was to assess HRQOL in patients followed from dialysis to RTX. Furthermore, to compare HRQOL in RTX patients and the general population.MethodsIn a prospective study, HRQOL was measured in a cohort of 110 patients (median age 53.5 (IQR 39–62) years, GFR 54 (45–72) ml/min/1.73 m2) in dialysis and after RTX using the self-administered Kidney Disease and Quality of Life Short Form version 1.3 (KDQOL-SF). Generic HRQOL in the RTX patients was compared to that of the general population (n = 5903) using the SF-36. Clinical important change after RTX was defined as difference in HRQOL of SD/2.ResultsFollow-up time was 55 (IQR 50–59) months, and time after RTX was 41 (34–51) months. Four of nine domains in kidney-specific HRQOL improved after RTX, i.e. burden of kidney disease, effect of kidney disease, symptoms and work status. In SF-36, general health, vitality, social function and role physical improved after RTX, but none of the domains improved sufficiently to be regarded as clinically relevant change. There were highly significant differences in HRQOL between RTX patients and the general population after adjustment for age and gender for all items of SF-36 except for bodily pain and mental health.ConclusionsHRQOL improved in the transition from dialysis to transplantation, but clinical relevant change was only obtained in the kidney specific domains. HRQOL was perceived considerably poorer in RTX patients than in the general population. Our observations point to the need of improving HRQOL even after RTX, and should encourage further longitudinal research and clinical attention during treatment shift.

Cardiovascular disease claims more women's lives than any other disease. Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease in women but is often underestimated and undiagnosed and there is an ongoing misperception that women are at a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than men. The attainment of clinical blood pressure goals can markedly reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, yet approximately two-thirds of treated hypertensive women have uncontrolled blood pressure. Furthermore, there are special risk factors that are unique for women that needs acknowledgement in order to help prevent the great number of hypertension-related events in women. Guidelines for treatment of hypertension are similar for men and women. More studies on the interaction between gender and response to antihypertensive drugs would be of interest.