Quality of Life Assessment in Kidney Transplantation

Author(s): Pavlos Malindretos, Stamatina Zili and Pantelis Sarafidis

Pp: 80-90 (11)

* (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

Transplanted patients generally experience lower health related quality of life (HRQoL) compared to general population. The vast majority of studies evaluating quality of life of patients before and after renal transplantation are in favour of transplanted patients. Immunosuppressive treatment side effects seem to have a negative impact on patients’ HRQoL. Nevertheless, HRQoL is generally significantly improved in children, adolescents and adults alike. Further more, living kidney transplant donors seem to present better HRQoL and improved depression status after a successful kidney transplantation. Even when older living donors are carefully selected, there is no need to be excluded from transplantation screening programs. Kidney transplantation represents the only known definite treatment of end - stage kidney disease (ESKD). When carefully planned and performed it will lead to both improved survival and health related quality of life of patients with advanced chronic kidney disease.

Keywords: Health related quality of life, HRQoL, quality of life, QoL, transplantation, kidney transplantation, children, adolescents, adults.