title: Quality of life, symptom distress, and social support among renal transplant recipients in Southern Taiwan: a correlational study.
abstract: Quality of life is an important indicator for evaluating therapeutic outcomes and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease. Few studies have explored the impact of symptom distress and social support on quality of life in this population. A correlational study was designed to examine the influence of symptom distress, social support and demographic characteristics on quality of life in renal transplant recipients. A convenience sample of 113 renal transplant recipients was recruited from a medical center in Southern Taiwan. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. This four-part tool included: Quality of Life Index--Kidney Transplant Version III, Physical Symptom Distress Scale, Social Support Scale, and demographic characteristics. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics (SPSS 10.1 statistical package). Percentage, rank, mean and standard deviation, t-tests, chi-square, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation and multiple regression were computed. Results showed that renal transplant recipients had a moderate quality of life. Social support and symptom distress, age, employment status, and household income significantly explained 28.8% of the variance in quality of life. Findings suggest implications for interventional programming and research aimed toward improving quality of life, including individual and family-based approaches designed to enhance recipients' social support and address effective management of symptoms. Recruiting a transplant clinical nurse specialist to design and implement an intervention program also is recommended.
authors: Center for Quality Management, National Cheng Kung University Hospital.
authors: Wan-Chi
authors: WC
authors: Chen
authors: Ching-Huey
authors: CH
authors: Chen
authors: Po-Chang
authors: PC
authors: Lee
authors: Wen-Ling
authors: WL
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents