Cadaveric Renal Transplant Failure: The Short-Term Sequelae

Abstract

Quality of life was evaluated in 103 patients initially when each was placed on the waiting list for a cadaveric transplant. Patients who were not transplanted were reassessed six months after being placed on the waiting list. Patients who received a transplant were reassessed six months after the surgery. Cadaveric transplantation was performed in sixty-three patients by the time of follow-up. The mortality rate of 12.7 percent in transplanted patients after six months was more than twice that in patients who remained on the waiting list without a transplant, but this difference was not statistically significant. There was a graft failure rate of 23.6 percent among transplanted patients who survived six months. Graft failures were associated with some deterioration in subsequent physical activity (F = 5.4, p < 0.03) but not in psychosocial functioning. Successful cadaveric transplants were associated with a marked and significant improvement in psychosocial well-being (F = 10.5, p < 0.002) after six months even though physical activity did not increase. These findings suggest that 1) a successful cadaveric transplant is associated with an improved quality of life, 2) the graft failure rate of 23 percent with cadaveric transplantation is still appreciable but 3) graft failure is not necessarily associated in the short term with deterioration in psychosocial well-being.