Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Immunosuppression-related symptom experience has not been covered thoroughly in long-term liver transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to assess the symptom experience of immunosuppressive therapy three years after liver transplantation and to correlate it with adherence to medications and sociodemographic or disease-related characteristics. METHODS: This study included 94 liver transplant recipients who had survived for more than 3 years after liver transplantation. Symptom experience was measured by the 59-Item Modified Transplant Symptom Occurrence and Symptom Distress Scale (MTSOSD-59R) at the outpatient visits. Adherence to immunosuppressive drugs was assessed using the Basel Assessment of Adherence with Immunosuppressive Medication Scale (BAASIS). RESULTS: Itching, concentration or memory problems, and fatigue were the three most frequent or most distressing symptoms. Factors significantly associated with a higher level of symptom frequency and distress were 3- to 5-year time cohort (i.e., time post-transplantation), and younger age. At the item level, concentration or memory problems were the most frequent and distressing symptoms in the 3- to 5-year time cohort. Itching was the most frequent and distressing symptom in the 5- to 9-year time cohort. Finally, relationship was found between symptom experience and nonadherence to immunosuppressive drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms related to physical complaints or impairments were more often perceived and more distressing for liver transplant recipients 3 years after transplantation. Furthermore, the 3- to 5-year time cohort and younger age were associated with a higher degree of perceived symptom occurrence and symptom distress. Finally, recipients who perceived higher levels of symptom frequency and symptom distress reported higher levels of nonadherence.