The status and influencing factors of fatigue in kidney transplant recipients based on the theory of unpleasant symptoms: A cross-sectional study in China

Aims: This study describes the incidence of fatigue in kidney transplant recipients and analyses the relationship between physiological factors, psychological factors, situational factors and fatigue in kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Fatigue, as a common symptom after kidney transplantation, is affected by many factors, but the influence of some factors on the fatigue of kidney transplant recipients is still controversial.

Design: This cross-sectional study was designed based on the theory of unpleasant symptoms.

Methods: Our survey involved 307 participants attending the kidney transplant outpatient clinic of a tertiary Class A hospital (Changsha, Hunan, China). Data were collected between February and April 2021 using a structured questionnaire and electronic medical records. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS 25.0 (SPSS Inc.) RESULTS: It was found that the incidence of fatigue in kidney transplant recipients was 53.1%. According to the binary logistic regression analysis, sleep quality, hypokalemia, anxiety, depression and education level were independent risk factors for fatigue in kidney transplant recipients.

Conclusion: The incidence of fatigue in kidney transplant recipients was high and was influenced by physical, psychological and situational factors. Clinical nurses should assess fatigue levels in a timely and multidimensional manner in clinical practice and provide effective and scientific guidance about fatigue self-coping and symptom management for kidney transplant recipients.