Psychosocial outcomes of children and parents after renal transplantation

Abstract

Introduction: Although some highlighted problems such as parental stress, child behavioural problems and financial instability occur after transplantation, much still remains unknown about the extent, nature, reasons and implications of family difficulties caused by renal transplantation in childhood. Objectives: To examine the psychosocial aspects, levels of parental stress and behavioural problems among children after renal transplantation and to study the predictors of psychosocial issues in the study sample. Design, setting and method: A cross sectional analytical study was conducted at the University Paediatric Unit of the Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya in September-October 2012. All patients who are being followed up at the post renal transplant clinic were recruited to the study. Data was collected using an intervieweradministered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 16.0. Results: Thirty-eight recipients of paediatric renal transplants were recruited. 67.5% were males. Feeling of happiness constantly or regularly was reported by 82.5% of children while irritability was a significant problem in 47.5%. Sleep disturbance was a recognized problem in 50% of children. At 2 years of transplantation 85 % of children had not attended school but at 5 years after transplantation school dropout was 10 %. This difference was ______________________________________

Multidimensional assessment of quality of life of children and problems of parents in Indian society after pediatric renal transplant: Beyond the conventional thoughts

“…The improved physical health of children post‐transplantation is accompanied by a marked improvement in feeling of happiness, as shown in our study (physical domain of WHOQOL). Similar results have been shown by Ranawaka et al . However, difficulties still persisted in the transition from illness to good health.…”

Piloting Psychology Annual Reviews as a Method of Measuring Psychological Distress and Quality of Life in Paediatric Renal Transplant Patients

“…There was some consistency between the main issues reported by patients on the Peds-QL and the literature [4, 6, 7], for example, physical discomfort and physical appearance. Having the mechanism to identify these issues has facilitated appropriate and timely psychological intervention.…”

“…The literature highlighted that paediatric kidney transplant patients are at an increased risk of experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety [2–4]. During the psychology annual review appointment, 11 (64%) patients who completed either the PI-ED or the HADS scored within the clinical range for symptoms of depression and/or anxiety.…”

“…Children and young people after renal transplantation report higher mental health difficulties and lower quality of life compared with their healthy peers [1]. Examples of the difficulties experienced by children and young people include depression [2, 3], generalised, social and health anxiety [3, 4], cognitive difficulties [3, 5], body image concerns [4, 6, 7], difficulties adjusting to a “healthy” status [4], sleep disturbances [4], and pain [3]. All of these difficulties can make it harder for young people to attend school and spend time with peers [8] thus further impacting on quality of life.…”

“…Having an increased awareness of the risk factors for psychological distress assists but does not ensure reliable prediction of patients who will experience psychological difficulties after transplant [9]. An assessment of psychosocial well-being after transplant is, therefore, recommended to identify signs of psychological distress [4, 9]. …”