OBJECTIVE: Poor
sleep quality is one of the factors that adversely
affects patient quality of life after
kidney transplantation , and
sleep disorders represent a significant
cardiovascular risk factor . The objective of this study was to investigate the
prevalence of changes in
sleep quality and their outcomes in
kidney transplant recipients and analyze the variables affecting
sleep quality in the first years after
renal transplantation .
METHODS: Kidney transplant recipients were evaluated at two
time points after a successful
transplantation between three and six months (Phase 1) and between 12 and 15 months (Phase 2). The following tools were used for assessment the Pittsburgh
Sleep Quality Index; the
quality of life questionnaire Short-Form-36; the
Hospital Anxiety and
Depression scale; the
Karnofsky scale ; and assessments of social and
demographic data . The
prevalence of poor
sleep was 36.7% in Phase 1 and 38.3% in Phase 2 of the study.
RESULTS: There were no significant differences between
patients with and without changes in
sleep quality between the two phases. We found no changes in
sleep patterns throughout the study. Both the physical and
mental health scores worsened from Phase 1 to Phase 2.
CONCLUSION: Sleep quality in
kidney transplant recipients did not change during the first year after a successful
renal transplantation .