Introduction:
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is one of the most common infectious complications of solid organ transplantation. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among kidney transplant recipients, not only causing kidney graft damage and loss but also generating a constellation of complications including retinitis, colitis and pneumonitis. Despite its prevalence, there is a striking lack of patient-centred data on CMV awareness and management within the kidney transplant community, a gap that could have implications for patient care.
This study seeks to bridge this knowledge gap by exploring the awareness, perceptions, and experiences of CMV among kidney transplant recipients. We aimed to understand how these patients perceive the risks of CMV, their knowledge of its symptoms, and their views on current CMV management strategies.
Methods:
We conducted in-depth interviews with 50 kidney transplant recipients at the Royal Free Hospital, London. Participants were divided into those who had experienced CMV viremia (n = 25) and those who had not (n = 25). Topic guides were developed based on existing research and patient feedback, focusing on CMV awareness, quality of life impacts, and treatment efficacy. A thematic analysis of verbatim transcripts was performed using framework analysis to extract key themes.
Results:
Awareness of CMV was low among participants, particularly those who had not contracted the virus, with only 32% of the non-CMV group recognizing the term. Even among those who had experienced CMV, knowledge about the virus’s implications for graft function was limited. Despite the significant morbidity associated with CMV, our study revealed a general lack of concern among patients, primarily due to inadequate knowledge. However, CMV treatments were well-received, with high ratings for efficacy and manageable side effects. Participants overwhelmingly expressed a need for better education on CMV, particularly through direct communication with healthcare providers.
Conclusions:
This study is the first to provide a comprehensive look at CMV awareness and management from the perspective of kidney transplant recipients in the UK. The findings underscore a critical need for improved patient education, which could enhance patient outcomes by fostering better understanding and management of CMV. These insights are vital for shaping future patient care strategies and could significantly impact clinical practice, particularly in post-transplant care.
By highlighting the gap in patient knowledge and its potential impact on clinical outcomes, this study provides actionable insights that could lead to improved patient education and care protocols. These findings are particularly relevant for transplant centers looking to optimize long-term outcomes for their patients.
I have no potential conflict of interest to disclose.
I did not use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process.