Functional independence and mobility in kidney transplanted patients: cross-sectional study

- Aim — To assess functional independence, balance and mobility of kidney transplant recipients, to verify transplant time, donor type, regular exercise practice, musculoskeletal complaints, as well as association among these variables. Methods: Observational study with 86 kidney transplant individuals, subjected to evaluation of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Timed Up and Go test (TUG). Results: The mean age of the study population was 43.98 years old, 50% of these individuals were between 5-10 years of transplantation and 50% between 10-15 years. Changes in mobility and balance (TUG) were found in 9.3% of transplant patients, while 2.3% had deficits in functional independence (FIM). The association between TUG and the FIM (χ2= 19.964, p< 0.001) was found in 25% of the 9.3% of individuals who showed changes in TUG. It was found that only 20.9% of kidney transplant between 5-10 years and 14.0% between 11 and 15 years performed regular physical exercises (χ2= 0.727, p= 0.394) and 67.4% presented prevalent complaints on lower limbs musculoskeletal. Conclusion: Although the level of dependence and impairments in mobility and balance found in renal transplants are low, deficits in mobility and balance may lead to changes in the ability to perform their functional activities independently.