title: Quality of life assessment in renal transplant: review and future directions.
abstract: We performed a systematic search of the literature using the MEDLINE (through 2006) database to identify the patient-reported outcome measures of quality of life (QOL) used most often in the renal transplant literature. After applying limits and reviewing references, we identified 338 renal transplant articles with a formal QOL assessment. Among the most frequently cited instruments were generic QOL tools, such as the Short Form-36, the Sickness Impact Profile, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire. Other frequently cited instruments were more targeted in nature, such as the End-stage Renal Disease-Symptom Checklist and the Kidney Disease Quality of life questionnaire. In the present article, we review the most commonly used instruments, their use in renal transplant, and suggest future directions to improve QOL assessment in this population.
authors.affiliation: Center on Outcomes, Research and Education (CORE), Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, Evanston, IL 60201, USA. z-butt@northwestern.edu
authors.forename: Zeeshan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Butt
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Yount
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Caicedo
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Abecassis
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cella
mesh_terms: D003863:Depression; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires