Affiliation:
1. Thammasat University
2. Institute of Health Partners
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Globally the prevalence of renal failure is on the rise. Kidney transplantation is the preferred and most affordable treatment for renal failure with improved health-related quality of life (HRQOL) compared to dialysis. In Bhutan, due to the lack of kidney transplant facilities in the country, patients are frequently referred to a neighbouring country. The HRQOL in kidney transplants in Bhutan has never been evaluated. The objective of the study was to investigate the relationships between different factors and HRQOL in kidney transplant recipients.
Methods
An observational study was conducted from January to July 2022. A kidney transplant recipient who underwent surgery until December 2021 and came for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) was recruited. Data on HRQOL were collected by face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. A descriptive analysis was used to describe sociodemographic characteristics and HRQOL. Factors affecting HRQOL were analysed using Mann‒Whitney U and Kruskal‒Wallis tests. Linear regression was used to assess the link between factors and HRQOL.
Results
One hundred kidney transplant recipients were recruited in this study. Of these, 25 of them did not have a formal education, and 48 are employed. 53.0 % of kidney failures were due to hypertension, and 62 of them had dialysis for less than one year. Overall, physical symptoms contributed to poor HRQOL with a mean ± SD score of 4.9 ± (1.0) and the appearance dimension of better HRQOL at a mean ± SD of 4.0 ± (1.3). Unemployment was significantly associated with poor physical symptoms, uncertainty/fear and emotional dimension. Physical symptoms and age were found to be positive and statistically significant (r = .321, P<0.001).
Factors such as age, hematocrit and BMI are linked with physical symptoms, fatigue and appearance.
Conclusion
Hypertension is the leading cause of kidney failure in Bhutan. The physical symptoms are associated with poor HRQOL among transplant recipients affecting mostly the unemployed. Recipients who are employed and the related donor were found to have better HRQOL.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC
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