Effects of an Educational Package on Quality of Life and Acute Complications in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Patients with chronic renal failure face many challenges in self-care after a kidney transplant. This treatment method affects their quality of life and leads to multiple complications. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an educational package on the quality of life (QoL) and complications of renal transplant recipients. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 72 patients (control and intervention groups) who had undergone kidney transplantation for the first time. The intervention involved an educational package comprised of five sessions. Besides, an educational booklet, weekly telephone calls, and follow-up (8 weeks after the intervention) were protablevided. The data were collected by the Kidney Transplant Questionnaire (KTQ-25) completed before and after the intervention by the two groups, and the Renal Transplantation Complications Checklist completed after 8 weeks. Data analysis was performed in each group before and after the intervention and between the two groups after the intervention via chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, paired t-test, and independent t-test. Results: The results showed a significant difference between the intervention and control groups in the physical dimension (P = 0.002). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in the remaining dimensions and the overall QoL. A significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of infection (P = 0.04), but no difference was observed between the two groups in terms of re-admission and transplant rejection (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The educational package affected all dimensions of QoL, especially the physical dimension and infection (as an acute complication of renal transplant); it improved QoL and reduced infection in the intervention group. Therefore, this package can be considered in the management plans of renal transplant recipients. Administration of this package can help understand the patients’ needs and requests and improve their health-related behaviors.