Impact of Quality-of-life–related Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Kidney Transplantation: A Cross-sectional Observational Study

Background/Aim: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common symptoms after kidney transplantation (KT). This study investigated the factors affecting the quality of life (QOL) of patients with LUTS after KT. Patients and Methods: We enrolled 46 patients with LUTS who visited our institution after KT between 2020 and 2021. In addition to clinical information obtained from medical charts [patient age, sex, body mass index, duration of dialysis, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) before KT, information related to LUTS was collected, including International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), IPSS-QOL score, nocturia-QOL (N-QOL) score, uroflowmetry, and bladder diary. The patients were divided into groups according to IPSS score (≥8 and <8, respectively). Results: The median age in both groups was 55 years. Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) ≥2 or duration of dialysis did not differ significantly between groups (p=0.27 and 0.91, respectively). The total N-QOL score and daytime and nighttime urinary frequency were significantly higher in the IPSS ≥8 group compared with the IPSS <8 group (p=0.034, 0.048, and 0.021, respectively). In multivariate analysis, CCI ³2 was an independent prognostic factor for severe IPSS-QOL score and total IPSS (p=0.040 and p=0.030, respectively), N-QOL score <80 was an independent prognostic factor for severe IPSS-QOL score (p=0.039), while nocturia was an independent prognostic factor for moderate or severe total IPSS (p=0.046). Conclusion: Preoperative interventions for complications may lead to improved QOL in patients undergoing KT. The risk factors for LUTS after KT are nocturia and low N-QOL scores. Finally, treatment of nocturia can improve LUTS.