Quality of life in cadaver and living-related renal transplant recipients in Kuala Lumpur hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the quality of life in cadaver (CAD) and living-related (LRRT) renal transplant recipients.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was done on patients followed in renal transplant clinic from 1/4/03 to 1/7/03 using the SF-36 questionnaire. Inclusion criteria were age >16 years,minimum of 3 months' posttransplant, and informed consent. Exclusion criteria were current treatment for rejection or infection or any life-threatening conditions. Information on duration of transplant, duration of dialysis prior to transplant, number of co-morbidities, and sociodemodraphic data were collected.


RESULTS
Sixty-four among 110 patients (58.1%) completed the SF36 questionnaire. The LRRT recipients were younger, had a longer duration of transplant, and had spent significantly less time on dialysis prior to transplant compared to CAD transplant patients. Overall, the physical composite and the mental composite scores were not significantly different between the two transplant groups. Age was negatively associated with the physical composite score (Spearman's rho -0.251, P < .05) and bodily pain (Spearman's rho -0.266, P < .05). Duration of dialysis prior to transplant was negatively correlated with social functioning (Spearman's rho -0.28, P < .05) and mental health (Spearman's rho -0.39, P < .005). In multiple regression analysis, age was a significant predictor of the SF36 physical composite score (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that the quality of life between LRRT and CAD recipients was not significantly different. Increased age was associated with poorer physical capacity.
Chiu
S F A
SF
Department of Nephrology, Jalan Palang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Wong
H S
HS
Morad
Z
Z
Loo
L H
LH
D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D019520:Living Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*