title: QUALITY OF LIFE OF KIDNEY DONORS RESIDING IN KATHMANDU VALLEY.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transplantation is evolving as an efficient treatment modality in Nepal for the rising cases of kidney failure. As living donors are healthy people donating their organ for the benefit of the recipient, it is imperative to ensure their safety.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the quality of life (QOL) of kidney donors and to compare it with healthy references.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, comparative design was used to find out the QOL of 59 donors and 59 healthy references. Convenience sampling was used to approach donors and eligible donors were interviewed at their residences. These were compared with age- and sex-matched references. QOL was assessed using SF36v2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Male, educated and employed donors were found to have better QOL than their counterparts. The comparison of donors and references showed better scores in the donors' QOL with significant differences in general health, mental health and mental component score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study concludes that living kidney donation does not impair the QOL of the donors but in turn may improve their mental health. Hence, this study supports the practice of living-related kidney transplantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Besides providing baseline data about donors in Nepal, this study may guide health professionals in counselling potential donors and assisting patients and their families to make informed decisions regarding transplant. It can assist health care planners in making policies concerning transplant.
authors.affiliation: BSc Nursing Programme, Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors.forename: Dayana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shakya
authors.affiliation: Department of Adult Health Nursing, Maharajgunj Nursing Campus, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors.forename: Takma
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: K C
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009390:Nepal; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Chronic kidney disease; Haemodialysis; Transplantation