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Outcome after renal transplantation. Part II: Quality of life and psychosocial adjustment

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Abstract

Knowledge of health-related quality of life (QOL) and psychosocial adjustment (PA) in children after renal transplantation (RTPL) is limited. QOL and PA were evaluated by standardized tests in patients after RTPL. Thirty-seven children of median age 14.5 years (range 6.5–17 years) were investigated a mean 4.5 years (range 0.5–12.8 years) after RTPL. Child- and parent-rated QOL was evaluated with the Child Quality of life Questionnaire of The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research Academical Medical Centre (TNO-AZL). PA was assessed by the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) providing parental reports of a child’s behaviour. In patients’ self-ratings, the QOL dimension physical complaints (P < 0.0005) scored significantly better than that of healthy controls, whereas the dimension positive emotional functioning was impaired (P = 0.02). Parents rated motor functioning (P = 0.002), autonomy (P = 0.01), cognition (P = 0.04) and positive emotions (P < 0.0005) as significantly impaired. Parents also assessed PA significantly (P = 0.02) impaired with regard to internalizing behaviour. Dialysis duration, young age at RTPL, living-related donation, steroid treatment, adverse family relationships and maternal distress had a significantly negative impact on QOL and PA (P < 0.05). Patients rated QOL higher than did healthy controls. Parents evaluated their children’s QOL and PA more pessimistically than did the patients themselves. Both illness-related variables and family environment played an important role.

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Acknowledgement

The study was supported by the Foundation Mercator Switzerland.

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Correspondence to Guido F. Laube.

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Falger, J., Landolt, M.A., Latal, B. et al. Outcome after renal transplantation. Part II: Quality of life and psychosocial adjustment. Pediatr Nephrol 23, 1347–1354 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-008-0798-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-008-0798-x

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