Similar prevalence but different characteristics of pain in kidney transplant recipients and chronic hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND

Chronic pain is frequent in both hemodialysis (HD) patients and kidney transplant (KTx) recipients but its detailed characteristics have never been thoroughly investigated.

AIM

To compare prevalence of pain, its locations and characteristics, and analgesics use in chronic HD and KTx patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional comparative study in 164 HD patients and 114 stable deceased donor KTx recipients. All participants completed the modified McGill Pain Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Overall, 63% of HD patients and 62% of KTx patients reported pain. Fifty-four percent of HD patients and 67% of KTx patients indicated more than one location of pain. Severe pain was more common in HD patients, and prevalence of pain-associated symptoms from major body systems was higher in HD patients. Pain in both groups was mostly local, paroxysmal and/or chronic. Fifteen percent of HD patients and 37% of KTx patients with chronic pain were not receiving pain relief drugs. The general feeling of illness was lower in KTx than HD patients (4.54 ± 2.1 vs. 5.6 ± 0.7; p < 0.0001); however, in the former group, it was systematically increasing with the time after transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

A successful kidney transplantation does not lead to a significant reduction in the prevalence of pain when compared to chronic HD patients. Pain relief medications are underused in KTx patients.