Clinical factors influencing participation in society after successful kidney transplantation

Background. Little information is available on the degree of actual social functioning after successful kidney transplantation. Moreover, information on factors that influence participation in social activities is scarce. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of clinical factors on social outcome. Methods. A retrospective study was performed on a cohort of primary kidney transplantation patients, transplanted between 1996 and 2001. Cross-sectional data on participation in obligatory activities (i.e. employment, education, household tasks), leisure activities (i.e. volunteer work, assisting others, sports, clubs/associations, recreation, socializing, going out) and change in participation were collected by in-home inter-views (n = 239). Multivariate regression analysis was performed. Results. Thirty-six percent of the patients scored low on obligatory participation and only 52.4% was employed. Patients were actively involved in a wide range of leisure activities. Twenty-six percent participated in sports. Multivariate analysis (age-, sex-, and education-adjusted) of participation in obligatory activities showed negative associations with advanced age (P <0.01), comorbidity (previous cardiovascular events; P <0.01) and cadaveric transplantation (P <0.01). There was a positive association with time since transplantation (P