The quality of life in successful live-related renal allograft recipients in India.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND. The high cost of maintenance of haemodialysis makes most patients in India and elsewhere opt for a renal transplant. The degree of rehabilitation can best be assessed by evaluating the quality of life in successful recipients. METHODS. We studied vocational rehabilitation, social relations, sexual and married life, psychological status and life satisfaction in 51 successful live-related renal allograft recipients using Schwab's depressive scale, Bigot's life satisfaction index and the Kamofsky physical scale. RESULTS. Eight-four per cent of our patients had returned to their original jobs. Ninety-eight per cent of patients had a Kamofsky scale of 90-100 and 81% were leading a normal married life. Ninety-four per cent of them led an active social life. CONCLUSION. Successful live-related renal transplantation is associated with a good quality of life and should be the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage renal disease.