[The development of kinaesthetic competence in acute inpatient care: a feasibility study with a pre-posttest design]. / Die Entwicklung der Kinästhetikkompetenz in der stationären Akutpflege.

The development of kinaesthetic competence in acute inpatient care: a feasibility study with a pre-posttest design Abstract: Background: Most patients in acute care hospitals experience movement limitations due to surgery or a general deterioration of their condition. Therefore, nurses need a high level of competence in movement promotion. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a three-day advanced kinaesthetics training course followed by six months of practical support to promote kinaesthetic competence in inpatient acute care and the competence development achieved as a result. Methods: The evaluation of the nurses' effectiveness was conducted using a pre- and post-measurement of kinaesthetic competence through a self-assessment questionnaire and an observation protocol. The evaluation of feasibility was done through a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Eight nurses rated their kinaesthetics competence as good before (mean: 10,8 on a scale of 4-16) and very good after the intervention (mean: 13,2). The kinaesthetics trainer assessed the competence before as sufficient (mean: 9,4 on a scale of 4-16) and very good (mean: 14,5) after the practical support. The need to make practical support more flexible is highlighted in the qualitative data. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that a three-day training followed by six months of practical support has a positive impact on nurses' kinaesthetic competence.

[Interprofessional corporation between registered community nurses and general practitioner: A qualitative study]. / Interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit zwischen diplomierten Pflegefachpersonen der ambulanten Pflege und Hausärzt_innen.

Interprofessional corporation between registered community nurses and general practitioner: A qualitative study Abstract. Background: The quality and effectiveness of the work of certified nurses and physicians in the inpatient setting is significantly influenced by interprofessional collaboration (IPC). There is a lack of knowledge about IPC in outpatient primary care at home. Aim: In highlighting the differences between inpatient and outpatient settings, the challenges of IPC for the outpatient setting should become clear. Method: The data for this study was collected in interprofessional group discussions. The data were methodically extracted by knowledge mapping and structuring content analysis according to Kuckartz (2018). The results were compared with the meta-matrix for interprofessional collaboration in inpatient settings by Schärli et al. (2017). Results: The qualitative analysis showed that the outpatient IPC of qualified nurses and general practitioners is challenged by structural conditions, which are given in the inpatient area by the form of organization. Lack of agreements and coordination of processes complicate IPC in outpatient health care, as there is no recognized common management structure. Conclusions: In order to ensure that IPC in the outpatient setting is not dependent on the individual commitment of individuals, nurses and GPs must jointly define criteria for their IPC, define processes and communication channels, and develop a common approach and team spirit.

Correlates and outcomes of alcohol use after single solid organ transplantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Reviews on alcohol use in transplant recipients focus on liver recipients and their risk of post-transplant rejection, but do not assess alcohol use in kidney, heart, or lung transplant recipients. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesize the evidence on correlates and outcomes of any alcohol use and at-risk drinking after solid organ transplantation (Tx). METHODS: We searched 4 databases for quantitative studies in adult heart, liver, kidney and lung Tx recipients, investigating associations between post-Tx alcohol use and correlates and/or clinical, economic or quality of life outcomes. Paper selection, data extraction and quality assessment were performed by 2 reviewers independently. A pooled odds ratio (OR) was computed for each correlate/outcome reported ≥5 times. RESULTS: Of the 5331 studies identified, 76 were included in this systematic review (93.3% on liver Tx; mean sample size 148.9 (SD = 160.2); 71.9% male; mean age 48.9 years (SD = 6.5); mean time post-Tx 57.7 months (SD = 23.1)). On average, 23.6% of patients studied used alcohol post-transplant. Ninety-three correlates of any post-Tx alcohol use were identified, and 9 of the 19 pooled ORs were significantly associated with a higher odds for any post-Tx alcohol use: male gender, being employed post-transplant, smoking pre-transplant, smoking post-transplant, a history of illicit drug use, having first-degree relatives who have alcohol-related problems, sobriety <6 months prior to transplant, a history of psychiatric illness, and having received treatment for alcohol-related problems pre-transplant. On average 15.1% of patients had at-risk drinking. A pooled OR was calculated for 6 of the 47 correlates of post-Tx at risk drinking investigated, of which pre-transplant smoking was the only correlate being significantly associated with this behavior. None of the outcomes investigated were significantly associated with any use or at-risk drinking. CONCLUSION: Correlates of alcohol use remain under-investigated in solid organ transplant recipients other than liver transplantation. Further research is needed to determine whether any alcohol use or at-risk drinking is associated with poorer post-transplant outcomes. Our meta-analysis highlights avenues for future research of higher methodological quality and improved clinical care. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO protocol CRD42015003333.

Change of sleep quality from pre- to 3 years post-solid organ transplantation: The Swiss Transplant Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Poor sleep quality (SQ) is common after solid organ transplantation; however, very little is known about its natural history. We assessed the changes in SQ from pre- to 3 years post-transplant in adult heart, kidney, liver and lung recipients included in the prospective nation-wide Swiss Transplant Cohort Study. We explored associations with selected variables in patients suffering persistent poor SQ compared to those with good or variable SQ. METHODS: Adult single organ transplant recipients enrolled in the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study with pre-transplant and at least 3 post-transplant SQ assessment data were included. SQ was self-reported pre-transplant (at listing), then at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months post-transplant. A single SQ item was used to identify poor (0-5) and good sleepers (6-10). Between organ groups, SQ was compared via logistic regression analysis with generalized estimating equations. Within the group reporting persistently poor SQ, we used logistic regression or Kaplan-Meier analysis as appropriate to check for differences in global quality of life and survival. RESULTS: In a sample of 1173 transplant patients (age: 52.1±13.2 years; 65% males; 66% kidney, 17% liver, 10% lung, 7% heart) transplanted between 2008 and 2012, pre- transplant poor SQ was highest in liver (50%) and heart (49%) recipients. Overall, poor SQ decreased significantly from pre-transplant (38%) to 24 months post-transplant (26%) and remained stable at 3 years (29%). Patients reporting persistently poor SQ had significantly more depressive symptomatology and lower global quality of life. CONCLUSION: Because self-reported poor SQ is related to poorer global quality of life, these results emphasize the need for further studies to find suitable treatment options for poor SQ in transplant recipients.

Postoperative Delirium After Liver Transplantation is Associated With Increased Length of Stay and Lower Survival in a Prospective Cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Although postoperative delirium (POD) is a common in-hospital complication associated with negative outcomes, evidence in liver transplantation (LT) is scarce. OBJECTIVE: We examined the incidence and duration of POD, its impact on outcomes and health-care utilization, and described predisposing and precipitating factors favoring POD development. DESIGN: This prospective cohort study included adults undergoing transplantation in a tertiary hospital. Postoperative delirium was assessed 3 times daily until 24 days post-LT, with the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist on the intensive care unit (ICU) and the Delirium Observation Screening Scale on the ward. Postoperative delirium was noted if any of the daily measurements was positive. RESULTS: Forty-two patients (69% male, mean age 55 years, median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score 15 [interquartile range 8-26]) were included. The incidence of POD was 45.2%, with a median duration of 5 days. Patients with POD had longer ICU (median 8 vs 2 days, P = .000) and hospital stays (median 32 vs 14 days, P = .000) as well as shorter survival (Breslow test P = .045, log-rank test P = .150). Pre-LT comorbidities and perioperative factors might be related to POD development. CONCLUSION: Nurses are key persons in the detection of POD in the daily clinical routine. The high incidence of POD and its negative association with patient outcomes highlight not only the relevance of systematic assessment of POD after LT but also the need for preventive interventions.

Correlates and Outcomes of Posttransplant Smoking in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite smoking being an absolute or relative contraindication for transplantation, about 11% to 40% of all patients continue or resume smoking posttransplant. This systematic review with meta-analysis investigated the correlates and outcomes associated with smoking after solid organ transplantation. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO from inception until January 2016, using state-of-the art methodology. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed for correlates/outcomes investigated 5 times or more. RESULTS: Seventy-three studies (43 in kidney, 17 in heart, 12 in liver, 1 in lung transplantation) investigated 95 correlates and 24 outcomes, of which 6 correlates and 4 outcomes could be included in the meta-analysis. The odds of smoking posttransplant were 1.33 times higher in men (95% CI, 1.12-1.57). Older individuals were significantly less likely to smoke (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.38-0.62), as were patients with a higher body mass index (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.52-0.89). Hypertension (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.77-1.75), diabetes mellitus (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.15-1.78), and having a history of cardiovascular disease (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.77-1.09) were not significant correlates. Posttransplant smokers had higher odds of newly developed posttransplant cardiovascular disease (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.02-1.95), nonskin malignancies (OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.26-5.29), a shorter patient survival time (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.44-0.79), and higher odds of mortality (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.21-2.48). CONCLUSIONS: Posttransplant smoking is associated with poor outcomes. Our results might help clinicians to understand which patients are more likely to smoke posttransplant, guide interventional approaches, and provide recommendations for future research.

Melatonin rhythms in renal transplant recipients with sleep-wake disturbances.

We assessed salivary melatonin levels in renal transplant (RTx) recipients who participated in a randomised, multicentre wait-list controlled trial on the effect of bright light therapy on their sleep and circadian rhythms. A large proportion of RTx recipients in our cohort had unexpectedly low melatonin values, which precluded calculation of the dim-light melatonin onset (DLMO) as a circadian marker. Thus, the aim of this post hoc analysis was to describe the melatonin profile of home-dwelling RTx recipients diagnosed with sleep-wake disturbances (SWDs). The participants were characterised by means of sleep questionnaires, validated psychometric instruments [Pittsburgh sleep quality Index (PSQI), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS)] in addition to melatonin assay in saliva. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and group comparisons made with appropriate post hoc tests. RTx recipients [n = 29 (aged 54.83 ± 13.73, transplanted 10.62 ± 6.84 years ago)] were retrospectively grouped into two groups: RTx recipients whose dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) could be calculated (n = 11) and those whose DLMO could not be calculated (n = 18). RTx recipients having a measurable DLMO had a number of differences from those without DLMO: they were younger [46.4 ± 14.9 compared to 60.0 ± 10.3 (p = .007)], had higher haemoglobin values [135.36 ± 12.01 versus 122.82 ± 11.56 (p = .01)], less anxiety [4 (0;8) versus 12 (6.5;14) (p = .021)] and a better overall sense of coherence [SOC Score: 71.09 ± 12.78 versus 56.28 ± 15.48 (p = 0.013)]. These results suggest that RTx recipients whose DLMO could be calculated have less health impairments, underlying the relevance of a stable circadian system.

Assessment of inflammatory bowel disease patient's needs and problems from a nursing perspective.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed at assessing Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients' needs and current nursing practice to investigate to what extent consensus statements (European Crohn's and Colitis Organization) on the nursing roles in caring for patients with IBD concur with local practice. METHODS: We used a mixed-method convergent design to combine quantitative data prospectively collected in the Swiss IBD cohort study and qualitative data from structured interviews with IBD healthcare experts. Symptoms, quality of life, and anxiety and depression scores were retrieved from physician charts and patient self-reported questionnaires. Descriptive analyses were performed based on quantitative and qualitative data. RESULTS: 230 patients of a single center were included, 60% of patients were males, and median age was 40 (range 18-85). The prevalence of abdominal pain was 42%. Self-reported data were obtained from 75 out of 230 patients. General health was perceived significantly lower compared with the general population (p < 0.001). Prevalence of tiredness was 73%; sleep problems, 78%; issues related to work, 20%; sexual constraints, 35%; diarrhea, 67%; being afraid of not finding a bathroom, 42%; depression, 11%; and anxiety symptoms, 23%. According to experts' interviews, the consensus statements are found mostly relevant with many recommendations that are not yet realized in clinical practice. CONCLUSION: Identified prevalence may help clinicians in detecting patients at risk and improve patient management.

The effect of bright light therapy on sleep and circadian rhythms in renal transplant recipients: a pilot randomized, multicentre wait-list controlled trial.

This study assessed the effect and feasibility of morning bright light therapy (BLT) on sleep, circadian rhythms, subjective feelings, depressive symptomatology and cognition in renal transplant recipients (RTx) diagnosed with sleep-wake disturbances (SWD). This pilot randomized multicentre wait-list controlled trial included 30 home-dwelling RTx randomly assigned 1:1 to either 3 weeks of BLT or a wait-list control group. Morning BLT (10 000 lux) was individually scheduled for 30 min daily for 3 weeks. Wrist actimetry (measuring sleep and circadian rhythms), validated instruments (subjective feelings and cognition) and melatonin assay (circadian timing) were used. Data were analysed via a random-intercept regression model. Of 30 RTx recipients (aged 58 ± 15, transplanted 15 ± 6 years ago), 26 completed the study. While BLT had no significant effect on circadian and sleep measures, sleep timing improved significantly. The intervention group showed a significant get-up time phase advance from baseline to intervention (+24 min) [(standardized estimates (SE): -0.23 (-0.42; -0.03)] and a small (+14 min) but significant bedtime phase advance from intervention to follow-up (SE: -0.25 (-0.41; -0.09). Improvement in subjective feelings and depressive symptomatology was observed but was not statistically significant. Bright light therapy showed preliminary indications of a beneficial effect in RTx with sleep-wake disturbances. (ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01256983).

Describing the evolution of medication nonadherence from pretransplant until 3 years post-transplant and determining pretransplant medication nonadherence as risk factor for post-transplant nonadherence to immunosuppressives: the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study.

Although medication nonadherence (MNA) is a major risk factor for poor outcomes, the evolution of MNA from pre- to 3 years post-transplant among the four major organ transplant groups remains unknown. Therefore, this study described this evolution and investigated whether pretransplant MNA predicts post-transplant immunosuppressive medication nonadherence (IMNA). Adult participants (single transplant, pretransplant and ≤1 post-transplant assessment, using medications pretransplant) in the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study (a prospective nation-wide cohort study) were included. Nonadherence, defined as any deviation from dosing schedule, was assessed using two self-report questions pretransplant and at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months post-transplant. Nonadherence patterns were modelled using generalized estimating equations. The sample included 1505 patients (average age: 52.5 years (SD: 13.1); 36.3% females; 924 renal, 274 liver, 181 lung, 126 heart). The magnitude and variability of self-reported MNA decreased significantly from pretransplant to 6 months post-transplant (OR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.16-0.27). Post-transplant IMNA increased continuously from 6 months to 3 years post-transplant (OR = 2.75; 95% CI: 1.97-3.85). Pretransplant MNA was associated with threefold higher odds of post-transplant IMNA (OR = 3.10; 95% CI: 2.29-4.21). As pretransplant MNA predicted post-transplant IMNA and a continuous increase in post-transplant IMNA was observed, early adherence-supporting interventions are indispensible.

Daytime sleepiness in renal transplant recipients is associated with immunosuppressive non-adherence: a cross-sectional, multi-center study.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of immunosuppressive non-adherence (NA) in renal transplant patients and describe whether the degree of daytime sleepiness (DS) and depressive symptomatology are associated with immunosuppressive NA. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, 926 home-dwelling renal transplant recipients who were transplanted at one of three Swiss transplant centers provided data by self-report. The Basel Assessment of Adherence Scale for immunosuppressive was used to measure the following: taking, timing, and overall NA to immunosuppressive medication. DS was assessed with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) (cut-off ≥6 for DS) and the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study DS item (cut-off ≥4 for DS), and depressive symptomatology was assessed with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (cut-off>10). An ordinal logistical regression model was applied for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of the ESS-DS was 51%. NA for taking, timing, and the median overall NA level assessed by 0-100% visual analog scale (VAS) was 16%, 42%, and 0%, respectively. Based on the multivariate analysis, DS was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with taking (1.08 [1.04-1.13]), timing (1.07 [1.03-1.10]), and overall NA (1.09 [1.05-1.13]). Very similar results were found for the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study DS item. CONCLUSION: DS is associated with immunosuppressive medication NA in renal transplant recipients. Admittedly, the association's strength is limited.

Self-reported sleep disturbances in renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Poor sleep quality (SQ) and daytime sleepiness (DS) are common in renal transplant (RTx) recipients; however, related data are rare. This study describes the prevalence and frequency of self-reported sleep disturbances in RTx recipients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 249 RTx recipients transplanted at three Swiss transplant centers. All had reported poor SQ and / or DS in a previous study. With the Survey of Sleep (SOS) self-report questionnaire, we screened for sleep and health habits, sleep history, main sleep problems and sleep-related disturbances. To determine a basis for preliminary sleep diagnoses according to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD), 164 subjects were interviewed (48 in person, 116 via telephone and 85 refused). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data and to determine the frequencies and prevalences of specific sleep disorders. RESULTS: The sample had a mean age of 59.1 ± 11.6 years (60.2% male); mean time since Tx was 11.1 ± 7.0 years. The most frequent sleep problem was difficulty staying asleep (49.4%), followed by problems falling asleep (32.1%). The most prevalent sleep disturbance was the need to urinate (62.9%), and 27% reported reduced daytime functionality. Interview data showed that most suffered from the first ICSD category: insomnias. CONCLUSION: Though often disregarded in RTx recipients, sleep is an essential factor of wellbeing. Our findings show high prevalences and incidences of insomnias, with negative impacts on daytime functionality. This indicates a need for further research on the clinical consequences of sleep disturbances and the benefits of insomnia treatment in RTx recipients.

Validation of a single item to assess daytime sleepiness for the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study.

CONTEXT: Daytime sleepiness in kidney transplant recipients has emerged as a potential predictor of impaired adherence to the immunosuppressive medication regimen. Thus there is a need to assess daytime sleepiness in clinical practice and transplant registries. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity of a single-item measure of daytime sleepiness integrated in the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study (STCS), using the American Educational Research Association framework. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, we enrolled a convenience sample of 926 home-dwelling kidney transplant recipients (median age, 59.69 years; 25%-75% quartile [Q25-Q75], 50.27-59.69), 63% men; median time since transplant 9.42 years (Q25-Q75, 4.93-15.85). Daytime sleepiness was assessed by using a single item from the STCS and the 8 items of the validated Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the cutoff for the STCS daytime sleepiness item against the Epworth Sleepiness Scale score. RESULTS: Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, a score greater than 4 on the STCS daytime sleepiness item is recommended to detect daytime sleepiness. Content validity was high as all expert reviews were unanimous. Concurrent validity was moderate (Spearman ϱ, 0.531; P< .001) and convergent validity with depression and poor sleep quality although low, was significant (ϱ, 0.235; P<.001 and ϱ, 0.318, P=.002, respectively). For the group difference validity: kidney transplant recipients with moderate, severe, and extremely severe depressive symptom scores had 3.4, 4.3, and 5.9 times higher odds of having daytime sleepiness, respectively, as compared with recipients without depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: The accumulated evidence provided evidence for the validity of the STCS daytime sleepiness item as a simple screening scale for daytime sleepiness.

The Swiss Transplant Cohort Study's framework for assessing lifelong psychosocial factors in solid-organ transplants.

BACKGROUND: Understanding outcomes after transplant requires a biopsychosocial model that includes biomedical and psychosocial factors. The latter, to date, are assessed only in a limited way as part of transplant registries or cohort studies. The Swiss Transplant Cohort Study (STCS) is a nationwide open cohort study (starting May 2008) to systematically and prospectively assess psychosocial factors. This article describes the framework underpinning STCS's psychosocial assessment. METHODS: The STCS framework was adapted from the multidimensional conceptual perspective of Dew et al to describe transplant psychosocial domains and specific outcomes by adding a time perspective, a system perspective, and interaction among domains. RESULTS: We propose a multidimensional, multilevel biopsychosocial framework representing mutually influencing domains from before to after transplant, and exemplify each domain by factors included in STCS and their measurement. The transplant patient, centrally positioned, is described by clinical and sociodemographic characteristics (eg, socioeconomic status, educational, professional, and relationship status). The following psychosocial domains further describe the patient: (1) physical/functional (eg, perceived health status, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness), (2) psychological (eg, depression, stress), (3) behavioral (eg, medication adherence, smoking, drug use, physical activity, sun protection), (4) social (eg, work capacity/return to work), and (5) global quality of life. Factors associated with health care system level (eg, trust in transplant team) are also included in the model. CONCLUSION: The STCS's psychosocial framework provides a basis for studying the interplay of biomedical, sociodemographic, psychosocial, behavioral, and health care system factors in view of transplant outcomes and therefore has the potential to guide biopsychosocial transplant research.

Utility of absolute and relative changes in cardiac troponin concentrations in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), among other criteria, also require a rise and/or fall in cardiac troponin (cTn) levels. It is unknown whether absolute or relative changes in cTn have higher diagnostic accuracy and should therefore be preferred. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a prospective, observational, multicenter study, we analyzed the diagnostic accuracy of absolute (Δ) and relative (Δ%) changes in cTn in 836 patients presenting to the emergency department with symptoms suggestive of AMI. Blood samples for the determination of high-sensitive cTn T and cTn I ultra were collected at presentation and after 1 and 2 hours in a blinded fashion. The final diagnosis was adjudicated by 2 independent cardiologists. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for diagnosing AMI was significantly higher for 2-hour absolute (Δ) versus 2-hour relative (Δ%) cTn changes (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [95% confidence interval], high-sensitivity cTn T: 0.95 [0.92 to 0.98] versus 0.76 [0.70 to 0.83], P<0.001; cTn I ultra: 0.95 [0.91 to 0.99] versus 0.72 [0.66 to 0.79], P<0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve-derived cutoff value for 2-hour absolute (Δ) change was 0.007 µg/L for high-sensitivity cTn T and 0.020 µg/L for cTn I ultra (both cutoff levels are half of the 99th percentile of the respective cTn assay). Absolute changes were superior to relative changes in patients with both low and elevated baseline cTn levels. CONCLUSIONS: Absolute changes of cTn levels have a significantly higher diagnostic accuracy for AMI than relative changes, and seem therefore to be the preferred criteria to distinguish AMI from other causes of cTn elevations. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER: NCT00470587.

Validity of 2 sleep quality items to be used in a large cohort study of kidney transplant recipients.

CONTEXT: Poor sleep quality and poor daytime functioning affect many kidney transplant patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity of 2 items assessing sleep quality and daytime functioning using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index as reference standard before use in a large cohort study, following the American Psychological Association's guidelines. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study using a psychosocial questionnaire developed for a large cohort study and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. SAMPLE AND SETTING: One hundred thirty-five home-dwelling kidney transplant patients aged 21 to 76 years (mean, 51.6 years; SD, 11.9 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Evidence on content, internal structure, and relation to other variables. RESULTS: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index indicated a 47.4% prevalence of poor sleep quality; the sleep quality item in the psychosocial questionnaire showed a 30.7% prevalence of poor sleep quality and a 34.1% prevalence of poor daytime functioning. Content validity was good for the psychosocial questionnaire's sleep quality item but poor for its daytime functioning item. As hypothesized, the psychosocial questionnaire's sleep quality item was moderately correlated with its daytime functioning item (Spearman rho, p(s) = 0.520, P<.001), indicating related but distinct concepts. When combined, the 2 items from the psychosocial questionnaire showed significant correlations with the total score on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (p(s) = -0.784, P < .001), depressive symptoms (p = -0.680, P < .001), perceived health status (p(s) = 0.619, P<.001), and subjective health status (p(s) = 0.671, P<.001) in the expected directions. CONCLUSION: For kidney transplant patients, validity is strong for the psychosocial questionnaire's sleep quality item, but the mixed findings regarding the validity of the daytime functioning item suggest that additional items are needed to measure daytime functioning.