Evaluation of Quality of Life and Severity of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Patients After Kidney Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) has a significant impact on a patient's quality of life (QoL). The optimal treatment for ESRD is kidney transplantation (KTx), which aims to extend and improve QoL. The aim of the study was to assess a QoL in KTx recipients.

METHODS: Our study included 118 post-KTx patients. The research tool employed for assessment was a questionnaire consisting of standardized instruments: the 36-item Short Form (SF-36); the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL) instrument; and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress (DASS) scale. In addition, patients were provided with information on their own weight and height, followed by calculation of body mass index.

RESULTS: Correlation analysis showed a statistically significant influence of age on general health (R = 0.191, P = .039), physical functioning (R = -0.295, P = .001), and general physical health (R = -0.275, P = .003) assessment. The mean severity of depression, anxiety, and stress among subjects changed over time since KTx. For the post-KTx periods studied (ie, <1 year, 1-10 years, and >10 years), the following changes were observed: for depression, 14.0 vs 11.2 vs 13.1, respectively; for anxiety, 15.6 vs 9.8 vs 14.0, respectively; and for stress, 22.0 vs 13.5 vs 16.8, respectively.

CONCLUSION: In this study we found that: 1. QoL in patients after KTx showed a good level for everyday life functioning, and 2. general health assessment, physical functioning, pain, sleep quality, occupational status, vitality, social activity, staff support, and quality of care were major factors associated with QoL after KTx.