Establishing a Core Outcome Measure for Life Participation: a Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology - Kidney Transplantation (SONG-Tx) Consensus Workshop Report. Transplantation Ju, A., Josephson, M. A., Butt, Z., Jowsey-Gregoire, S., Tan, J., Taylor, Q., Fowler, K., Dobbels, F., Caskey, F., Jha, V., Locke, J., Knoll, G., Ahn, C., Hanson, C. S., Sautenet, B., Manera, K., Craig, J. C., Howell, M., Rutherford, C., Tong, A., SONG-Tx Life Participation Workshop Investigators* 2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplantation confers substantial survival and quality of life benefits for many patients with end-stage kidney disease compared with dialysis, but complications and side-effects of immunosuppression can impair participation in daily life activities. Life participation is a critically important patient-reported outcome for kidney transplant recipients but is infrequently and inconsistently measured in trials. We convened a consensus workshop on establishing an outcome measure for life participation for use in all trials in kidney transplantation.METHODS: Twenty-five (43%) kidney transplant recipients/caregivers and 33 (57%) health professionals from 8 countries participated in 6 facilitated breakout group discussions. Transcripts were analyzed thematically.RESULTS: Four themes were identified. Returning to normality conveyed the patients' goals to fulfill their roles (ie, in their family, work, and community) and reestablish a normal lifestyle after transplant. Recognizing the diverse meaning and activities of 'life' explicitly acknowledged life participation as a subjective concept that could refer to different activities (eg, employment, recreation, family duties) for each individual patient. Capturing vulnerability and fluctuations posttransplant (eg, due to complications and side-effects) distinguished between experiences in the first year posttransplant and the long-term impact of transplantation. Having a scientifically rigorous, feasible and meaningful measure was expected to enable consistent and frequent assessment of life participation in trials in kidney transplantation.CONCLUSIONS: A feasible and validated core outcome measure for life participation is needed so that this critically important patient-reported outcome can be consistently and meaningfully assessed in trials in kidney transplantation to inform decision-making and care of recipients.

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