Effect of family environment and donor source on patient equality of life following renal transplantation

Alan J. Christensen, University of Iowa
Katherine Raichle
Shawna L. Ehlers
Andrew J. Bertolatus

Abstract

The authors examined the degree to which the supportiveness of a patient's family environment predicts change in quality of life following renal transplantation. The sample consisted of 95 patients receiving renal grafts from either a living donor or a cadaveric donor. Patients were initially assessed prior to transplantation with follow-up assessment occurring an average of 5.5 months after transplantation. Among patients receiving a living-donor kidney, those reporting a more supportive family environment exhibited reduced depression, improved mobility, and improved social functioning. However, those living-donor recipients reporting less family support exhibited increased depression and diminished mobility and social functioning after transplantation. Patients receiving a kidney from a cadaveric donor showed modest improvements in quality of life regardless of the degree of family support. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved)