Quality of Life in Kidney Transplantation From Marginal Donors

OBJECTIVE: Enhancement of the subjective components, recognition of overallneeds, and careful consideration of subjectively perceived quality of life among dialysis and/or transplanted patients appear to be key objectives to promoteoptimized adherence to treatment and active cooperation of the patient. Thisstudy explores the relationship between self-rated health among recipients ofkidney transplantations from deceased marginal donors (age older than 55 years)in relation to gender, age, time on dialysis, years after transplantation, anddonor age.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Posttransplant quality of life was assessed with theComplete Form Health Survey (SF-36) in 70 recipients of kidney transplantationsfrom marginal deceased donors.RESULTS: Donor age did not negatively influence health status perceived by thesubjects. The vitality and mental health seemed to increase with greater donorages, but the status of perceived health, vitality, social activities, and mentalhealth were negatively influenced by the age of the transplant.CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that good general health and social well-functioningcan be achieved also among recipients of organs from older donors. Thus, agealone should not be a barrier to organ donation, providing that the organfunction is normal and that specific disease is absent in the organ.