The highest incidence of BK viremia and viruria is observed the third post-transplantation month, confirming previously published studies in Europe and the United States, and long-term follow up shows that BKV replication decreases significantly after the third post-transplant month and even transient viremia or viruria does not have an impact on renal function.

Introduction. This study was undertaken to compare and evaluate the heath-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Greek adult transplant recipients before and 2 years after successful renal transplantation (RT). The SF-36 survey score was used. Methods. Eighty-five Greek hemodialysis patients underwent RT at the Transplant Unit of Evangelismos General Hospital of Athens, including 44 men and 41 women (mean age 43.8 years; range 21-59 years). The scale scores of a Greek version of the SF-36 survey were compared between the transplant and the hemodialysis patients. We also examined the relationships of the scale scores with the patients' age and the type of donor. Results. According to the SF-36 health survey, transplant recipients had better results for general health perception (p<0.001), role-physical functioning (p<0.01), role-emotional functioning (p<0.01), and vitality (p< 0.01). In addition, the scale score of physical functioning, general health and vitality of the patients who were younger than 30 years at the time of transplantation were significantly higher than those of the patients who were older than 30 years, while the scores of bodily pain, general health, and physical functioning were significantly lower in cadaveric graft recipients compared with living-related recipients. Conclusions. The SF-36 health survey is a validated and comprehensive instrument for evaluating renal transplant patients' HRQOL. Our data demonstrated an improvement in HRQOL in renal transplant patients 2 years after successful renal transplantation. The data also confirmed that the recipients' age at transplantation and the type of donor were important factors affecting the HRQOL.

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A high proportion of the patients experienced improvement while a substantial number had exacerbations related to self confidence and dependence to others. An important step to improve this situation might be through the institution of a structured multi-disciplinary rehabilitation program with focus on emotional support, information giving and education to elderly CABG patients and their significant others.