Self-Rated Health Predicts Mortality and Graft Loss after Kidney Transplantation: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study

Background: This study explored whether self-rated health (SRH) shortly after kidney transplantation (KT) predicts mortality and graft loss at up to 10 years' follow-up. Methods: A total of 276 patients shortly after successful KT were interviewed. SRH was measured using the first item of the SF-36 questionnaire and divided into three tertiles: poor, average and excellent health. Clinical data were retrieved from medical records. Cox regression was used to identify whether different levels of SRH predicted mortality and graft loss in transplant recipients. The observation period was up to 10 years. Results: Poor SRH (HR 11.1, p <0.001), average SRH (HR 4.21, p <0.05), estimated glomerular filtration rate (HR 0.26, p <0.05) and age (HR 1.04, p <0.05) were significantly associated with mortality. Similarly, poor SRH (HR 6.4, p <0.001), average SRH (HR 3.6, p <0.05), new-onset diabetes mellitus after KT (HR 3.3, p <0.05) and chronic renal allograft dysfunction (HR 3.7, p