Background: The vocational rehabilitation after kidney transplantation (KTX) is suboptimal. We sought to evaluate correlates of occupational outcomes after KTX. Methods: We included 336 working-age patients with at least one creatinine assessment in the 3-month screening period. We collected clinical information from medical records. All subjects answered a self-administered questionnaire, and a follow-up questionnaire was mailed to each participant after 6 months. Study outcomes were the Work Ability Index (WAI) and labor supply (the number of days each patient worked in the follow-up period). We estimated the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation. Results: The mean eGFR was 52.76 ± 23.68 ml/min/1.73 m². The age-standardized employment-to-population ratio was 62%. Comorbidities, self-reported work ability, gender, age, health insurance type, and time since transplant were associated with employment status at baseline. The WAI (38.79 ± 5.88) was associated with the severity of renal impairment, work attachment and comorbidities. After 6 months, labor supply (mean 19.4 ± 9.7 weeks) was associated with WAI item 1 (ρ = 0.22; p = 0.03); eGFR was significantly associated with labor supply, and this association was slightly stronger in patients with physically demanding jobs. Conclusions: We identified modifiable factors associated with poor occupational outcomes in kidney transplant recipients. Consistent with labor supply theory, our results suggest that health care coverage plays a key role in employment decisions after KTX independent of possible confounders. Additionally, our study provides the rationale to further evaluate the implications of renal function-preserving strategies for indirect cost savings and self-reported ability to work after transplant.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a neurological condition characterized by orthostatic headache (OH), low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure and diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Hearing changes (HC) are also a common clinical finding. At present, epidural blood patch (EBP) is the most recommended treatment. Our study aimed at describing clinical variability of SIH patients. We also aimed at measuring the EBP efficacy on OH and HC in patients affected by SIH, by asking them to rate their levels of discomfort on a VAS. 28 consecutive patients were recruited. All of them complained about OH, 16 of them also reported HC. They were all treated with EBP. Two clinical psychologists interviewed them before and after the procedure, asking to rate the intensity of their OH and HC on a VAS at different time points: the day before the procedure, between 24 and 48 h after it and 2 months after treatment. Before EBP, patients rated their OH as 5 (IQR 2-7) and their HC as 4 (IQR 2-5.75). 24/48 h after EBP, a significant improvement in OH (median 0, IQR 0-0; p < 0.001) and HC (median 1, IQR 0-2; p < 0.05) was found. At follow up assessments, all patients reported a complete relief from their OH and four out of 16 patients only still reported mild HC. Our data show for the first time the early and durable efficacy of EBP on OH and HC in patients affected by SIH.

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