[Economic, financial and social sequelae of successful kidney transplantations]

The effects were studied of successful kidney transplantation on 54 recipients of an isolated first kidney graft in 1986. The parameters studied were ability to work, dependence on disability insurance and physical well-being. We compared the conditions in the final months before and one year after transplantation. The data were derived from the case histories and by use of a questionnaire. A second questionnaire was sent to every patient. If data were still lacking, we contacted the patients by telephone. Graft function was good in 43 cases and in 3 cases poor but sufficient. 8 patients needed dialysis again. It is concluded that, concerning ability to work and quality of life, successful transplantation is superior to any kind of dialysis. One year after transplantation, 31 of 54 patients were able to work full time, while during the last months before transplantation only 7 were capable of this. In all 54 patients, average ability to work increased about 23%. The 16 former hospital hemodialysis patients with well functioning graft and with no other diseases or disturbances increased their average ability to work by around 50%. Dependence on disability insurance decreased to a corresponding extent. 35 of 54 patients reported improved general physical well-being after transplantation.