ABSTRACT
To assess how erectile dysfunction [ED] affects the quality of life in male kidney transplant recipients. We randomly selected 150 cases of married male kidney transplant recipients. Using the International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF-5] Questionnaire, we divided our research subjects into ED group [n=63] and non-ED group [n = 87]. The Short-Form health survey [SF-36] was used to evaluate the quality of life of the recipients. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale was used to compare the mental health status of the two groups. No significant differences [P > 0.05] were observed between the ED and non-ED groups in physical functioning [PF], role-physical [RP], or bodily pain [BP]. However, the ED group exhibited a lower score [P < 0.05] than the non-ED group in general health [GH], vitality, social functioning [SF], role emotional [RE] and mental health [MH]. There were 13 cases in the ED group with anxiety disorders [20.6%], which was clearly more than in the non-ED group [3.4%, P < 0.05]. Erectile dysfunction is an important factor in the quality of life of male kidney transplant recipients
ABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To examine whether the existence of the donor-and recipient-derived DNA chimerism in recipient's plasma can be a predictive marker for the status of transplanted organ.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty-six female patients who had been transplanted with male kidneys were enrolled in the present study. In these female recipients, the SRY(1), DYZ(1)(1st) and DYZ(1)(2nd) genes on the Y chromosome from the plasma were prospectively examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SRY, DYZ(1)(1st) and DYZ(1)(2nd) sequences were detected in the cell-free blood (plasma) of 97 (77%) of 126 female patients with male kidney. The average time that the transplanted kidneys functioned was 8.7 years and 5.4 years among microchimerism-positive and microchimerism-negative recipients, respectively. The frequency of the patients who had acute rejection after renal transplantation was approximately 10% and 28% in microchimerism-positive and microchimerism-negative recipients, respectively. Serum creatinine levels in microchimerism-positive patients were significantly lower than those in microchimerism-negative patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These results suggest that plasma DNA microchimerism present in certain patients following renal transplantation and measurement of plasma DNA microchimerism using quantitative RT-PCR might be a useful predictor for the acceptance of transplanted kidneys.</p>