A Prospective Study of Depression and Weight Change After Kidney Transplant

Context: Kidney transplant recipients have great risk for gaining significant weight (upward of 10 kg) in the first year posttransplant. Clinical depression can occur in response to life situations and is associated with weight gain. Objective: To explore the association between demographic characteristics, weight change, and depression posttransplantation. Design: Secondary data analysis on longitudinal data collected for a larger observational study. Demographic characteristics, weight, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) data were obtained at baseline (BL) (time of transplantation), 6, and 12 months posttransplant. The CES-D scores were compared among time points using means, standard deviations, correlations, t tests, and chi-square as well as by multiple regression modeling. Setting: Regional transplant center in the mid-south United States. Participants: Forty-seven kidney transplant recipients (55% female, 57% African American, mean age 52.5 years). Weight change ranged from −18.1 to +24.8 kg. Results: In all, 62% reported baseline CES-D scores indicative of depression, with lower scores indicating less psychological distress at 6 and 12 months (47% and 49%, respectively). We found no significant differences among CES-D scores at any time point. Regression models found age, race, gender, and weight change to be predictive of CES-D scores at 6 months ( P = .04, R 2 = .137). Age was the most influential ( P = .008), with older individuals more likely to obtain higher CES-D scores. Since the experience of depression is common at transplant and during the first year, it is important that transplant recipients be evaluated for depression early in the recovery period.