The effects of social determinants of health on kidney transplant candidates

Certain social determinants of health predict patient-reported outcomes in potential kidney transplant recipients, according to a study that will be presented online during ASN Kidney Week 2020 Reimagined October 19-October 25.

In the 955-participant study, patients' experience of discrimination in a medical setting, greater depressive symptoms, and a lower sense of mastery (or control over the forces that affect one's life) predicted worse physical, mental and kidney-related quality of life. Lower levels of patient-reported medical mistrust predicted greater patient satisfaction with clinical services.

"In our study, social determinants of health predicted patient-reported outcomes, suggesting that these factors are important for future research and intervention development," said lead author Samuel Swift (University of New Mexico, Albuquerque). "Transplant teams can use knowledge of how these key social determinants of health predict patient-reported outcomes to improve the experience of patients with kidney failure undergoing transplant evaluation."