Abstract
Context
Quality of life and transplant age are 2 major concerns of professionals and researchers. Both variables are contemplated in transplant allocation decisions as a result of longer graft and patient survival and the likelihood of achieving a reasonably good quality of life for patients of all ages. Studies are warranted to understand if quality of life might serve as a moderating variable to balance question of age and transplant allocations.
Objective
To determine if there are differences in the pretransplant and posttransplant quality of life of kidney transplant recipients with respect to age.
Design, Participants, Setting, and Outcome Measures
This study comparatively examined the differences in pretransplant and posttransplant quality of life of kidney transplant recipients in 5 age groups (18–29 years, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, and older than 60). A sample of 293 patients admitted to a midsouthern US transplant center and selected on a convenience-sampling basis were included in the study. Multiple measures of quality of life were used, including the Quality of Life Index, the Adult Self-Image Scale, and the Sickness Impact Profile.
Results
Both the pretransplant and posttransplant quality of life of all age groups of kidney transplant recipients were similar, with the exception that the recipients in the age range of 30 to 49 years reported better posttransplant quality of life on the Sickness Impact Profile Psychosocial measure (F = 2.18, P = .02).
Conclusions
Quality of life outcomes do not appear to favor one age group over another, although psychosocial outcomes may warrant some additional consideration.
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