Quality of Life in Patients Receiving Kidney Transplantation, Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital

Abstract

This study aimed to study quality of life (QOL) of 90 patients receiving kidney transplantation attended kidney transplant clinic at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital. Data were collected by World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief – Thai (WHOQOL-BRIEF-THAI) questionnaire, developed by Suwat MahanNirunkul et. al, The internal consistency reliability of the questionnaire by Cronbach's alpha coefficient, was α= 0.88.  Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Demographic data reveals that the majority of patients were male (60 %) with mean age of 44.2 years. Most of them were married (55.6 %); education level lower than bachelor degree (73.3%); work as employee (52.2%) with average income of 17632.56 baht/month. The average time period in receiving a new kidney was 5.26 years. The main caregivers after discharge were spouse (38.9%). The patients receiving dialysis after operations were 21.1% and 97.8 % of the sample came to follow up on time.  Quality of life, It was found that the overall QOL score was at the good level (X=3.76, SD=.39). QOL in each dimension, It was found that the 2 dimensions were in good levels: psychological domain (X=4.03, SD=.47), followed by physical domain (X=3.72, SD=.47). The two domains that were in moderate levels were: environmental domain (X=3.63, SD=.46), and social relationships domain (X=3.61, SD=.62) respectively. This study suggested conduct activities to improve the lower QOL domains to be better QOL.