Abstract
Coping-strategies of patients before and after kidney transplantation (KTX) were assessed using the Essener Coping Questionnaire (EFK). 529 patients (213 before and 316 after renal transplantation), treated at the University Hospital in Essen, have filled in the EFK measuring coping and other instruments measuring quality of life (Münchner Lebensqualität-Dimensionen- Liste, MLDL), psychological distress (Brief Symptom Inventory, BSI) and social support (Fragebogen zur Sozialen Unterstützung, Kurzform, F-SozU-K22). Significant differences in the coping strategies were found regarding the scales “Depressive coping” (higher after KTX), “Information seeking and exchange of experiences” (higher on the waiting list) and “Active search for social support” (higher after KTX). Inter-group differences as to quality of life were of medium magnitude, as to psychological distress and social support of small magnitude favoring patients after NTX. Depressive coping in patients before and after KTX is substantially explained by the BSI-scales “Depression” and “Anxiety”. Additional predictors comprise low somatic quality of life and female sex before renal KTX, and cognitive deficits as well as anxiety after KTX.
Patients on the waiting list for KTX reported a significantly lower quality of life and more psychological distress than patients after transplantation. They need an increased psychosocial support. Future studies should use a direct pre-post-design to allow a better comparability.
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