Quality of Life after Donor Nephrectomy for Living Donor Kidney Transplantation at Srinagarind Hospital
Warakorn Jaseanchiun MD*, Wichien Sirithanaphol MD*, Ekkarin Chotikawanich MD*, Siri Chau-in MD*, Kachit Pacheerat MD*, Thongueb Uttaravichien MD*,
Affiliation : * Department of Surgery, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Objective : To determine the quality of life (QoL) of donors who have undergone nephrectomy for living donor kidney
transplantation at Srinagarind Hospital, using the Thai version of the Short-Form, 36-item, health survey (SF-36).
Material and Method: The SF-36 questionnaires were sent by mail to 93 living donors who underwent nephrectomy between
Jan 1, 1990 and Dec 31, 2008. The first part collected demographic data and the donor/recipient relationship, the second
surveyed QoL, and the third asked about decision-making, donation-related stress and feedback.
Results : Forty-nine questionnaires were returned completed (30 women; 19 men: mean age 44.2 + 9.5 (range, 28-65) years).
Thirty-one participants (61%) were siblings of the recipients. The QoL scores were not significantly different from the general
Thai population; albeit nominally higher for mental health and social function. Upon reflection, only 5 (10%) had second
thoughts.
Conclusion : Donor nephrectomy did not affect QoL; thus,from that perspective living kidney transplantation is a suitable
procedure for donors.
Keywords : QoL, Renal transplantation, SF-36
