European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects a substantial proportion of the global population, estimated between 10–15%, and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) necessitates renal replacement therapy, of which renal transplantation is widely regarded as the most effective option. Compared to dialysis, transplantation not only improves life expectancy but significantly enhances health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

The post-transplant journey, however, presents challenges including lifelong immunosuppression, treatment-related side effects, and psychosocial stressors. These factors impact physical, emotional, and social well-being. WHO defines quality of life as an individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of their culture and value system, relative to their goals and expectations.

Studies globally, including those from Pakistan, Palestine, France, and India, emphasize the importance of assessing QoL among renal transplant recipients to guide comprehensive post-transplant care. Most existing Indian literature has focused on public-sector hospitals; limited data are available from private tertiary centers. This study addresses this gap by examining QoL and influencing factors in transplant recipients at a corporate hospital in Bangalore.

Study Design and Setting: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Nephrology, Manipal Hospital, Whitefield, Bangalore.

Study Period: February 2021 to July 2022.

Participants: A total of 103 adult patients who had undergone renal transplantation within the last three years were included. Patients unwilling to participate, those unreachable via phone, or who had returned abroad were excluded.

Tool: The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to assess quality of life across four domains: physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment.

Data Collection: Structured telephonic interviews were conducted after obtaining verbal consent.

Statistical Analysis: Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Mean and standard deviations were computed for domain scores. T-tests and ANOVA were used to compare means across demographic variables. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

A total of 103 renal transplant patients were evaluated. The mean global QoL score was 73.9±9.3. Among the four domains, psychological well-being had the highest score (79.1±9.4), followed by physical (77.2±10.1), social (75.4±11.1), and environmental (69.6±10.4) domains. Patients aged below 35 years consistently reported higher scores across all domains. Male patients showed slightly better scores compared to females. Patients more than two years post-transplant demonstrated improved scores across all domains.

Table 1: WHOQOL-BREF Domain Scores (n=103)

Table 2: Quality of Life Scores by Age Group

Table 3: Quality of Life Scores by Gender

Table 4: Quality of Life Scores by Marital Status

This study highlights that post-transplant patients experience significantly improved quality of life. Younger recipients and those further out from the transplant date consistently reported higher scores, particularly in psychological and physical domains. These findings reinforce those from previous studies conducted in Pakistan, Palestine, and France, underscoring global consistency.

The environmental domain scored lowest, possibly reflecting barriers in healthcare access, finances, and transport, even in urban India. Although gender differences were minor, males showed slightly better outcomes. Importantly, longer duration since transplant correlated positively with QoL, suggesting adaptation, reduced complications, and improved psychosocial adjustment.

These findings underline the importance of comprehensive post-transplant care encompassing physical rehabilitation, psychological support, and social integration for better patient outcomes.

QoL following renal transplantation was observed to be high, especially among younger recipients and those further along in the post-transplant phase. Structured follow-up, personalized interventions, and holistic care can contribute to further improving QoL outcomes in this group.

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