Abstract

FERNANDEZ-VINA FERNANDEZ, Ana María; VALDES ARIAS, Covadonga; VILLAR FERNANDEZ, Elvira  and  DIAZ CORTE, Carmen. A study of the health-related quality of life in living kidney donors. Enferm Nefrol [online]. 2015, vol.18, n.1, pp.41-47. ISSN 2255-3517.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S2254-28842015000100006.

Studies evaluating the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in living kidney donors find it comparable to the general population or greater, regardless of the time since transplant. Objective: To assess the HRQOL of the living kidney donors and to analyse the aspects related to the donation process. Methods: We contacted by telephone with all living kidney donors performed at the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, and those who wanted to participate completed the SF-36 v.2 questionnaire. Donation process, sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected. Results: Out of the 29 donors, 25 were women (age 52 ± 11). Two receivers rejected the graft and one donor died. 41% were spouses, 28% mothers, 24% brothers and 7% brother in law. Mean pre-transplant creatinine was 0.71 ± 0.11 mg/dL; and at discharge 1.05 ± 0.22 mg/ dL. 55% suffered some adverse effect, with abdominal pain and discomfort as the most common. Although no statistical differences between laparoscopic and lumbotomy were found, the latter had a more prolonged hospital stay (7±2 vs. 5±1 days; p = 0.015). Scores on the HRQL questionnaire were similar to those of the general population in all dimensions and 100% return to donate. Conclusions: Post-transplant donors´ HRQL was comparable to that of the general population. On the other hand donors do not regret the decision to donate regardless of the suffering side effects or results of transplantation at the receiver.

Keywords : health-related quality of life; living kidney donor; living donor transplant.

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