Kidney transplantation improves the multidimensional quality of life.
BACKGROUND
Quality of life is affected during any illness, especially chronic diseases, such as renal failure.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the quality of life after kidney transplantation.


METHODS
One hundred patients were interviewed (60 men, 40 women, mean age 36 +/- 10.4 years, median 35 years) from July to October 2000 using the multidimensional questionnaire WHOQL-Bref.


RESULTS
Eighty-eight percent of patients were satisfied/very satisfied with their general health condition. Seventy-seven percent manifested a good capacity to carry out daily activities, and 75% considered themselves satisfied with their work capacity. Quality of life was considered "very good" or "good" among 80%, and "neither good nor bad" in 20%. None considered quality of life in general as "bad" or "very bad." Most (87%) were satisfied with their current condition and with themselves after the kidney transplant.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients perceive kidney transplant as capable of improving their quality of life. The most important finding in this study is that the results of the physical and psychological domains did not show any significant difference. It was possible to conclude that the quality of life for most subjects is related to reduction or disappearance of the symptoms caused by the previous disease.
Lazzaretti
C T
CT
Division of Nephrology, University Hospital, Department of Sociology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil. clairetl@hotmail.com
Carvalho
J G R
JG
Mulinari
R A
RA
Rasia
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors