Effect of Kidney Transplantation on Smoking Habits of Kidney Donors.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking increases the risk for cardiovascular disease in kidney donors, as is the case with normal individuals; it may also result in the development and progression of chronic renal failure. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of kidney transplant on smoking habits of kidney donors. METHOD: The study included 98 donors in total (54 female, 44 male). A questionnaire was administered to donors about smoking status. Smoking status was asked about before surgery and 12 months postoperatively, and the preoperative and postoperative values were compared. The Fagerstörm test for nicotine dependence was administered to individuals who were still smokers and those who had smoked but quit. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 48.27 ± 10.8 years. The preoperative smoking status was 47% (n = 46), whereas the postoperative rate decreased to 29% (n = 28). This reduction in smoking rate was significant (P = .001). There was no difference in Fagerström levels between donors who continued smoking and those who quit smoking after the surgery (P = .583). CONCLUSIONS: A person who becomes a kidney transplant donor has the chance to quit smoking, which is a cardiovascular risk factor. In addition to the psychosocial benefits of being a donor, it should be noted that it might also provide some medical benefits. However, some patients continue smoking after surgery. Smoking should be questioned in the postoperative follow-ups of donors and the support required for smoking cessation should be provided.

Caregiver Burden, Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep Quality Differences in Caregivers of Hemodialysis Patients Compared With Renal Transplant Patients.

BACKGROUND: We compared the caregivers of hemodialysis (HD) patients and caregivers of patients with renal transplantation (Tx) in terms of anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and caregiver burden. We believe that caregivers of HD have more difficult conditions than caregivers of the patients with Tx. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed the psychological status of caregivers of Tx patients compared with those of HD patients with using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Zarit Burden Interview, and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Indexes. We recruited 133 caregivers-65 caregivers in the Tx group and 68 in the HD group. RESULTS: Mean age was 43.1 ± 8.5 years. The age, sex, income level, and education level were similar between the 2 groups. Caregivers in the HD group had significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression compared with the Tx group (P = .007 and P < .001, respectively). Good sleep quality rates for caregivers in the Tx group and caregivers in the HD group were 92% (n = 60) and 63% (n = 43), respectively. Poor sleep quality was significantly higher in caregivers in the HD group compared with caregivers in the Tx group (P < .001). Caregiver burden scores were significantly higher for caregivers in the HD group compared with caregivers in the Tx group (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that Tx is the more appropriate renal replacement therapy for caregivers who undertake the care of patients with end-stage renal disease and chronic kidney disease.

Psychological and emotional status, and caregiver burden in caregivers of patients with peritoneal dialysis compared with caregivers of patients with renal transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to examine the relationship between caregivers of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and of renal transplant (Tx) patients with regard to sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and overall burden. METHODS: This cross-sectional study of prevalent caregivers of CAPD patients and of renal Tx patients used a multidimensional instrument to assess the association of sleep quality, depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as burden using a Zarit Burden Interview. Among the 113 caregivers who participated in this study, 53 were in the Tx and 60 in the CAPD group. RESULTS: The overall mean age was 40.7 ± 13.6 years. The proportions of age, gender, income, and education level were similar between the 2 groups. Caregivers of peritoneal dialysis patients had significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression compared with the Tx group (P = .039 and P = .003, respectively). Good sleep quality rates for caregivers of Tx versus CAPD patients were 88.7% (n = 47) and 61.7% (n = 37), respectively. Poor sleep quality was significantly higher among caregivers of CAPD compared with those for Tx patients (P = .001). Caregiver burden scores were significantly higher in caregivers of CAPD patients compared with Tx patients (P < .001). Upon logistic regression analysis, caregivers of CAPD patients were 2.61 times (95% confidence interval, 1.03-6.59; P = .043) higher than the caregiver burden risk than those for Tx patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study indirectly indicated that renal Tx improves the life quality and decreases psychiatric symptoms among caregivers of ESRD patients.