Anxiety, depression, and regret of donation in living kidney donors

Postoperative factors associated with psychological well-being of living kidney donors: results of a retrospective and qualitative study

Introduction

Kidney transplantation from a living donor is the treatment of choice for end- stage kidney disease. Psychological implications of living kidney donation are of great importance, both during preliminary psychiatric assessment and post-donation follow-up. The identification of risk factors worsening the psychological well-being of living kidney donors (LKDs), before and after donation, remains challenging in terms of research.

Methods

At the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), our clinical observations and practice compelled us to establish post-donation follow-ups for LKDs at 6 months and 1 year. Pre-and post-donation sociodemographic, physical, psychological, and psychiatric data was collected from the medical records of 115 LKDs who underwent a complete physical and psychological evaluation during the period 2011-2018. We tested for any potential association between the variables under study.

Results

A qualitative and retrospective analysis of this data highlighted the impact of postoperative factors, such as pain, fatigue, recipient-donor relationship, and fulfillment of donors' expectations, on the post-donation psychological well-being of LKDs.

Discussion

With regard to these findings, regular post-donation follow-ups, optimal care of postoperative pain and fatigue, as well as a solid therapeutic alliance with LKDs remain key points for clinicians involved in the dynamic process of living kidney donation.

Post-Donation Regret and Anxiety Among Family Living Liver Donors: The Mediating Roles of Family Relationships and Sense of Mastery

BACKGROUND Post-donation regret in family living liver donors can impact their mental well-being. This study examined whether the relationship between post-donation regret and anxiety is mediated by family relationships and a sense of mastery. MATERIAL AND METHODS We conducted a secondary analysis of de-identified cross-sectional data from a prior study that included 124 living liver donors. These donors underwent partial hepatectomy between January 2011 and March 2021 at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, South Korea. The data included demographic and clinical characteristics, along with the results from administering the following measures: the Post-Donation Regret Scale, Family Relationships Index, Pearlin Mastery Scale, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 scale. RESULTS Among family living liver donors, 5.6% had anxiety after donation. The total effect of post-donation regret on anxiety was significant (B=0.41, p<0.05). However, the direct effect of regret on anxiety was not significant (B=-0.05, p=0.733). Post-donation regret had indirect effects on anxiety, solely through family relationships (B=0.329, 95% CI=0.130, 0.563) and sequentially through family relationships and mastery (B=0.088, 95% CI=0.008, 0.232), even after controlling for sex, age, postoperative complications, years since donation, and recipient's death. In addition, postoperative complication was a predictor of anxiety (B=0.64, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Providing family-centered and mastery-enhancing interventions may help alleviate the anxiety of family living liver donors.

Living Kidney Donation: A Narrative Review of Mid- and Long-term Psychosocial Outcomes

Living kidney donors make a significant contribution to alleviating the organ shortage. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of mid- and long-term (≥12 mo) living donor psychosocial outcomes and highlight areas that have been understudied and should be immediately addressed in both research and clinical practice. We conducted a narrative review by searching 3 databases. A total of 206 articles were included. Living donors can be divided into those who donate to an emotionally or genetically related person, the so-called directed donors, or to an emotionally or genetically unrelated recipient, the so-called nondirected donors. The most commonly investigated (bio)psychosocial outcome after living donation was health-related quality of life. Other generic (bio)psychological outcomes include specific aspects of mental health such as depression, and fatigue and pain. Social outcomes include financial and employment burdens and problems with insurance. Donation-specific psychosocial outcomes include regret, satisfaction, feelings of abandonment and unmet needs, and benefits of living kidney donation. The experience of living donation is complex and multifaceted, reflected in the co-occurrence of both benefits and burden after donation. Noticeably, no interventions have been developed to improve mid- or long-term psychosocial outcomes among living donors. We highlight areas for methodological improvement and identified 3 areas requiring immediate attention from the transplant community in both research and clinical care: (1) recognizing and providing care for the minority of donors who have poorer long-term psychosocial outcomes after donation, (2) minimizing donation-related financial burden, and (3) studying interventions to minimize long-term psychosocial problems.

Pros and cons of live kidney donation in prediabetics: A critical review and way forward

There is shortage of organs, including kidneys, worldwide. Along with deceased kidney transplantation, there is a significant rise in live kidney donation. The prevalence of prediabetes (PD), including impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance, is on the rise across the globe. Transplant teams frequently come across prediabetic kidney donors for evaluation. Prediabetics are at risk of diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular events, stroke, neuropathy, retinopathy, dementia, depression and nonalcoholic liver disease along with increased risk of all-cause mortality. Unfortunately, most of the studies done in prediabetic kidney donors are retrospective in nature and have a short follow up period. There is lack of prospective long-term studies to know about the real risk of complications after donation. Furthermore, there are variations in recommendations from various guidelines across the globe for donations in prediabetics, leading to more confusion among clinicians. This increases the responsibility of transplant teams to take appropriate decisions in the best interest of both donors and recipients. This review focuses on pathophysiological changes of PD in kidneys, potential complications of PD, other risk factors for development of type 2 diabetes, a review of guidelines for kidney donation, the potential role of diabetes risk score and calculator in kidney donors and the way forward for the evaluation and selection of prediabetic kidney donors.

Psychosocial characteristics of potential and actual living kidney donors

The psychosocial assessment is an essential component of the living kidney donor (LKD) evaluation. However, it remains uncertain how specific psychosocial factors impact LKD eligibility. We performed a retrospective chart review of LKD candidates who initiated the evaluation process and who had completed a required, in-person licensed social work (LSW) visit. LSW notes were reviewed for frequency of psychosocial factors that may impact the success of LKD candidate approval by the selection committee. 325 LKD candidates were included in the study: 104 not-approved and 221 approved. Not-approved LKD candidates were more likely to receive a negative family reaction to wanting to donate than approved LKD candidates (8.7% vs 1.4%, p < 0.01). On multivariate analysis, Black race, history of psychiatric illness, highest level of education being high school, and high psychosocial risk score assignment were all associated with a lower odds ratio of being approved. The majority of not-approved LKD candidates were disqualified for medical reasons (N = 76, 73.1%). In conclusion, psychosocial factors impact donation even after LKD candidates make it to an in-person evaluation.

Psychological Impact of Living Kidney Donation: A Systematic Review by the EAU-YAU Kidney Transplant Working Group

We performed a systematic literature review of the psychological impact on donors of living kidney donation. We conducted a literature review in PubMed/Medline according to PRISMA guidelines which included both qualitative (based on interviews) and quantitative studies (based on standardized questionnaire). There were 15 quantitative studies and 8 qualitative studies with 2,732 donors. Given that the methodologies of qualitative and quantitative studies are fundamentally different, we narratively synthetized results of studies according to four axes: quality of life, anxiety/depression, consequences of donation on the donor/recipient relationship, overall satisfaction and regret. The quantitative studies reported that donor quality of life remained unchanged or improved. Donor regret rates were very low and donor-recipient relationships also remained unchanged or improved. Qualitative studies reported more complex donation experiences: one can regret donation and still decide to recommend it as in a social desirability bias. In both study types, donor-recipient relationships were closer but qualitative studies reported that post-donation rebonding was required. The qualitative studies therefore highlighted the psychological complexity of donation for donors, showing that living donation impacts the donor's life whether it is successful or not. A better understanding of the impact of donation on donors could provide better care for donors.

Quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms in living related kidney donors: a cross‑sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Few studies have examined the quality of life of living kidney donors in mainland China. The data on anxiety and depression of living kidney donors was also scant. This study aimed to investigate quality of life, anxiety, and depression and identify their influencing factors among living kidney donors in mainland China.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study included 122 living kidney donors from a kidney transplantation center in China. The abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item and Patient Health Questionnaire 2-item were used to assess the quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively.

RESULTS

Our study found that the physical related quality of life of our donors was poorer than that of the domestic general population. Among 122 donors, 43.4% and 29.5% of them were found to have anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively. Poor health condition of recipient was identified as not only negative factors affecting all domains of quality of life, but also closely related to anxiety and depression of kidney donors. Donors with proteinuria were more likely to have a poor psychological, social related quality of life, as well as anxiety and depression symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Living kidney donation has an impact on the physical and mental health of donors. Both the physical and mental health of living kidney donors should not be ignored. More attention and support should be given to donors with proteinuria and donors whose relative recipient suffering poor health condition.

The Value of Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire in Predicting Postoperative Pain in Living Kidney Donors: A Prospective Observational Study

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the value of the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ) for the prediction of postoperative pain and the relationship between pain sensitivity and postoperative pain in kidney donors undergoing living-related kidney transplantation.

Patients and Methods

A total of 148 kidney donors were selected and the preoperative pain sensitivity questionnaire was administered the day before surgery. Kidney donors were assigned to low PSQ group (PSQ < 6.5, n = 76) or high PSQ group (PSQ ≥ 6.5, n = 72). The primary endpoint was the number of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Other outcomes included: the incidence of acute pain, flurbiprofen axetil remediation rate, the incidence of chronic pain, neuropathic pain assessment scale (Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions, DN4), visual analog scale (VAS) at rest after surgery as well as the correlation between PSQ and QST (Quantitative Sensory Testing).

Results

The low PSQ group had a significantly lower number of PCA than high PSQ group (P < 0.0001). The incidence of acute pain was 75% in low PSQ group and 100% in high PSQ group (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, flurbiprofen axetil remediation rate was lower in low PSQ group than that in high PSQ group (P = 0.042). The incidence of chronic pain was significantly lower in low PSQ group than in high PSQ group (6.6% vs 61.1%, P < 0.001). Moreover, DN4 was significantly lower in low PSQ group than that in high PSQ group (P < 0.001). The PSQ-mean was significantly negatively correlated with QST in kidney donors. VAS at rest for the low PSQ group were lower than those of the high PSQ group.

Conclusion

The PSQ was found to be associated with the intensity or postoperative pain and might be used to screen patients prior to living-kidney transplantation.

Perceptions of Psychosocial and Ethical Issues and the Psychological Characteristics of Donors in the Clinical Setting of Living Kidney Donors: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

There are several psychosocial and ethical issues surrounding the decision to be a living kidney donor. The present study aimed to determine the perceptions of psychosocial and ethical issues that living kidney donors may have, and analyze their psychological characteristics.

METHODS

Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 donors. Thematic analysis was then performed to categorize the thematic elements of the transcripts. All procedures were approved by the relevant review board.

RESULTS

Four main categories were identified: Awareness of family dynamics, barriers to a proper understanding, contrasting psychological effects of recipient presence in clinical practice, insufficient information explained in informed consent.

CONCLUSION

Donors felt that they took on the "role as a care giver" for the recipient and were less aware of themselves as patients. This is a new concept that has not been shown in previous studies. Donors exist within the recipient and family, and the range of their autonomy may go beyond the traditional concept of autonomy and be rooted in relational autonomy. This study suggested that medical treatment in the presence of the recipient promotes the relational autonomy of the donor.

Psychosocial and Ethical Behaviors and Attitudes of Health Care Professionals in the Clinical Setting of Living Kidney Donors: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

There are several psychosocial and ethical issues surrounding the decision making of living kidney transplant donors. This study aimed to determine what health care professionals (HPs) consider in their clinical practice and their attitudes toward donors' decision-making processes.

METHODS

Face-to-face semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 HPs. A thematic analysis was performed to categorize the thematic elements of the transcripts. All procedures were approved by the relevant review board and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

RESULTS

Six main categories-maintaining family relationships, improving donor understanding, supporting voluntary decision making, setting the environment for the examination, having different attitudes toward the donor's intentions, and resisting confirmation of intent-were identified. The HPs provided diverse considerations to respect the donors' autonomy.

CONCLUSION

In clinical practice, there is a lack of practical methods to confirm living donors' levels of understanding and spontaneity, suggesting that these methods need to be established. Factors related to family functioning may reflect the unique culture of Japan, and this may be indicative of the need to consider treatment based on cultural values.

Motivators and Barriers to Living Donor Kidney Transplant as Perceived by Past and Potential Donors

Background:

For patients with end-stage kidney disease, living donor kidney transplant is the treatment of choice due to improved patient outcomes, longer graft survival, and reduced expenses compared with other forms of renal replacement therapy. However, organ shortage remains a challenge, and living donation rates have stagnated in recent years, particularly among men.

Objective:

To understand the motivators and barriers for past and potential living kidney transplant donors and inform policy and practice changes that support donors in the future.

Methods:

Past and potential living donors in British Columbia, Canada in the preceding 2 years were surveyed. Motivators and barriers were examined in 5 categories: family pressures and domestic responsibilities, finances, the recovery process, complications, and the transplant evaluation process. Participants ranked statements in each category on a Likert-type scale.

Results:

A total of 138 responses were collected. In both women and men, policies that address family and domestic responsibilities and finances were most strongly identified as motivators to donate. A large proportion of women and men reported that guaranteed job security (47% women and 38% of men), paid time off (51% of women and 42% of men), reimbursement of lost wages (49% of women and 38% of men), and protections to guarantee no impact on future insurability (62% of women and 52% of men) were significant motivators to donate. Timely and efficient medical evaluation was considered to be an important motivator for donation, with 52% of men and 43% of women reporting support for a “fast-track” option for evaluation to allow for a more rapid evaluation process. Median barrier and motivator scores were similar between women and men.

Conclusion:

Policies to decrease financial burden, ensure job security, improve childcare support, and offer a fast-track medical evaluation may motivate potential living kidney donors, irrespective of gender.

Mental Health and Well-Being of Solid Organ Transplant Donors. The Forgotten Sacrifices

In light of a global organ shortage, living donor transplantation has become increasingly relevant as an alternative to deceased donor transplantation. While current research has revolved around the medical aspects of transplantation, there remains a paucity of literature regarding the quality of life (QOL) of living donors. Hence, this review aims to provide a comprehensive outline of the current landscape of living liver and kidney transplantation, with a focus on the mental health and wellbeing of donors. As highlighted in previous studies, organ donation has a significant impact on both physical and mental aspects of donor wellbeing, with marked deteriorations occurring in the short term. Furthermore, other qualitative aspects such as financial burden contribute greatly to donor distress, reflecting a need for improved donor care. To address these pertinent issues, recommendations for a successful transplant program are detailed in this review, which encompasses psychological and social aspects of donor care throughout the donation process. Further research can be done on the impact of recipient deaths on donor QOL and appropriate interventions. Overall, given the selfless sacrifices of living donors, the care of their mental wellbeing is essential. Therefore, greater emphasis should be placed on the provision of adequate psychosocial support for them.

The Effect of Psychiatric History on Pain and Related Outcomes Among Living Kidney Donors

INTRODUCTION

Living donor transplantation of kidneys accounts for one quarter of transplants performed in the United States. Careful screening of psychiatric history is a standard part of the donor evaluation. Little is known about the impact of psychiatric history on post-donation course and pain experience.

RESEARCH QUESTION

This study investigated whether psychiatric history was associated with pain and related outcomes among living kidney donors.

DESIGN

A retrospective medical record review was conducted of 75 living kidney donors who underwent laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. All donor candidates completed a psychological evaluation and were approved for donation by a multidisciplinary committee. History of psychiatric diagnosis and psychiatric medication use were obtained from donors' psychological evaluation reports. Data on pain and related outcomes (ie, history of prescribed pain medication, post-donation pain, opioid use, length of hospital stay, post-donation emergency department visits), as well as demographic and donation-related characteristics were also abstracted from medical records.

RESULTS

Psychiatric history, including current or historical psychiatric diagnosis or psychiatric medication use, in living kidney donors who were evaluated and approved for donation by a transplant psychologist was not associated with greater perceived pain, greater use of opioid pain medication in the post-operative period, longer hospital stays, or more frequent post-donation emergency department visits.

DISCUSSION

The findings demonstrate that carefully screened donors with a psychiatric history have comparable pain-related outcomes as donors without a psychiatric history. This study highlights the importance of the pre-donation psychological evaluation in promoting positive postdonation outcomes through careful selection of donor candidates.

Depression, anxiety, and associated psychological outcomes in living organ transplant donors: A systematic review

With increasing demands for living organ donations, understanding the prevalence of depression and anxiety, which are the commonest psychiatric disorders in donors following organ transplantation, will serve to improve psychiatric care to safeguard donors' mental wellbeing. This descriptive systematic review examines all observational studies in English investigating prevalence of depression and anxiety in adult transplant donors using bibliographic databases. Sixty-two papers were included (kidney, n = 25; liver, n = 25; bone marrow, n = 7; uterus, n = 2; lung, n = 1; kidney and lung concurrently, n = 2). Post-transplantation depression and anxiety prevalence rates (Depression: 0-46.9%, Anxiety: 0-66.7%) did not differ significantly from pre-transplantation and were largely comparable to the general population. Other psychiatric disorders observed included bipolar disorder, conversion disorder, adjustment disorder and sleep disorder. Other psychological outcomes observed included lower quality of life, lower satisfaction of life and regret after donation. Pre-donation risk factors such as poor physical/psychological health status, and post-donation risk factors such as complicated post-surgical recovery and poor physical/psychological health in recipients were identified, predisposing donors to poor psychological outcomes. Individuals with risk factors should be monitored and provided with social support, psychoeducation, psychotherapy and long-term follow up. Future studies should adopt consistent methodological approaches to improve comparability between various studies. More research investigating poor psychological outcomes in other organ donors besides kidney and liver donors, donors who have past psychiatric history, unrelated and parent donors is warranted.

Pre-emptive live donor kidney transplantation-moving barriers to opportunities: An ethical, legal and psychological aspects of organ transplantation view

Live donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) is the optimal treatment modality for end stage renal disease (ESRD), enhancing patient and graft survival. Pre-emptive LDKT, prior to requirement for renal replacement therapy (RRT), provides further advantages, due to uraemia and dialysis avoidance. There are a number of potential barriers and opportunities to promoting pre-emptive LDKT. Significant infrastructure is needed to deliver robust programmes, which varies based on socio-economic standards. National frameworks can impact on national prioritisation of pre-emptive LDKT and supporting education programmes. Focus on other programme’s components, including deceased kidney transplantation and RRT, can also hamper uptake. LDKT programmes are designed to provide maximal benefit to the recipient, which is specifically true for pre-emptive transplantation. Health care providers need to be educated to maximize early LDKT referral. Equitable access for varying population groups, without socio-economic bias, also requires prioritisation. Cultural barriers, including religious influence, also need consideration in developing successful outcomes. In addition, the benefit of pre-emptive LDKT needs to be emphasised, and opportunities provided to potential donors, to ensure timely and safe work-up processes. Recipient education and preparation for pre-emptive LDKT needs to ensure increased uptake. Awareness of the benefits of pre-emptive transplantation require prioritisation for this population group. We recommend an approach where patients approaching ESRD are referred early to pre-transplant clinics facilitating early discussion regarding pre-emptive LDKT and potential donors for LDKT are prioritized for work-up to ensure success. Education regarding pre-emptive LDKT should be the norm for patients approaching ESRD, appropriate for the patient’s cultural needs and physical status. Pre-emptive transplantation maximize benefit to potential recipients, with the potential to occur within successful service delivery. To fully embrace preemptive transplantation as the norm, investment in infrastructure, increased awareness, and donor and recipient support is required.

Experiencing one's own body and body image in living kidney donors-A sociological and psychological study

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to perform an in-depth exploratory analysis of the experience and image of one's body among living kidney donors.

METHOD

The research was carried out using mixed methodology. The study on experiencing one's own body was carried out using the sociological methodology of the grounded theory (qualitative research). This method was supplemented with psychometric measurement-the Body Esteem Scale (quantitative research). The basic research method was the in-depth interview. Using this method, a group of 25 living kidney donors who had not experienced any serious health or psychological problems after donation was examined. The participants of the study came from three transplant centers in Poland.

RESULTS

The data from the sociological interviews indicate that the donors: 1. do not experience radical changes in the functioning of their body; 2. maintain full control over it and do not feel the absence of a kidney in the body; 3. consciously and reflectively take care of their body after donation. In addition, the sociological research indicates that caring for one's own body also includes the transferred organ. The kidney donors experience a kind of bodily identity extension, including the recipient's body. However, the personal and social identity of the studied kidney donors is not disturbed in any way. The psychometric data correspond to the sociological results and indicate: 1. a lack of extreme emotional assessments about one's body; 2. awareness of one's own body and consistency of its image; 3. reduced emotional assessment of body zones directly related to the surgery; 4. differences in body image between the sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

The research results presented in the text indicate not only the possibility, but also the need for triangulation of research methods in the study of the experience and image of one's own body in living kidney donors. The proposed research approach employing mixed methodology within the fields of sociology and psychology for researching the phenomenon of living kidney donation is not very common.

Assessing health-related quality of life of living kidney donors using the 36-item medical outcomes Short-Form-36 questionnaire: a meta-analysis

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of living kidney donors using the 36-item Medical Outcomes Short-Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36). A systematic search of the Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Elsevier/ScienceDirect, Wanfang, Weipu, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases for studies that used the SF-36 to evaluate the HRQoL of living kidney donors up to April 2020 was performed. Stata version 12.0 (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX, USA) was used for meta-analysis. In all, nine studies comprising 802 living kidney donors were included in this meta-analysis. The research revealed that living kidney donors were inferior in physical health to the general population with regard to bodily pain (BP), superior to the general population in terms of general health (GH), and exhibited no significant difference from the general population in physical function (PF) and role-physical (RP). In the case of psychological health, living kidney donation had a positive impact on well-screened living kidney donors. Based on our results, clinicians can inform potential kidney donors that there is a low risk in donating a kidney, which contributes to provide guidance to design counseling interventions for both kidney recipients and donors.

Latest developments in living kidney donation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Although the first successful kidney transplantation 65 years ago was performed with a living donor kidney, the number of living donor kidney transplantations has increased especially during the last 2 decades. The enlargement of living donor programs was made possible by new modes of living donation and by expansion of the living donor pool. At the same time, the long-term risks of kidney donation have been better delineated. In this review, the latest developments on these topics are summarized.

RECENT FINDINGS

While the results of ABO-incompatible living kidney transplantation are superior to those of deceased donor transplantation, recent meta-analyses show a reduced patient and graft survival as compared with ABO compatible transplantation as well as increased risk of severe infection and bleeding. Kidney paired donation programs can be extended by including compatible couples and by advanced donation, although the latter raises ethical concerns. Living donors appear to have a higher risk of end-stage renal disease and this is especially true for obese donors and probably also for black donors with an APOL1 high-risk genotype. The importance of psychosocial outcomes after living kidney donation is increasingly recognized.

SUMMARY

Living donor kidney transplantation remains the optimal treatment option for patients with end-stage renal disease. To increase the donor pool, a well developed paired kidney donation program and sufficient reimbursement of costs associated with donation are essential ingredients. Other ways of expanding the donor pool, such as ABO-incompatible transplantation, use of higher risk donors, providing donors with financial incentives and advanced donation are associated with medical, ethical and logistical complications. There should be a careful selection and follow-up of living kidney donors with attention for medical consequences as well as for psychosocial outcomes.

Quality of life, depression and anxiety in living donor kidney transplantation

Due to its numerous advantages, transplantation from a living kidney donor is the best method of renal replacement therapy. However, the characteristics of the procedure require to consider well-being of not only the recipient, but also the donor - a person who suddenly becomes a patient despite former good health. The living donation is a selfless act, but also a decision that may endanger one's own health. The aim of this article was to review the current knowledge concerning the quality of life, symptoms of anxiety and depression occurring among living kidney donors and recipients. In order to do that, we performed a systematic research in the PubMed, Google Scholar and CINAHL databases for the years 2000-2019 with the use of key words. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were met by only 15 articles. This study shows that the mental state of donors is generally better than that of recipients. Additionally, reduction of anxiety and depression as well as increase in the quality of life occurs in both donors and recipients in the post-transplant period compared to the time before surgery. Further research is needed on this topic in order to improve psychological aspects of care of live kidney donors and recipients.

The experience of donating and receiving a kidney: A systematic review of qualitative studies

BACKGROUND

The experiences described by people who have undergone kidney transplant are complex. Understanding how donors and recipients experience kidney transplantation can help us to design strategies that provide a more person-centred health care.

OBJECTIVES

To review articles that report the experiences of donors and recipients in the living-donor kidney transplantation process.

METHOD

A systematic review of qualitative studies was carried out. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL and PsycINFO databases were used to search for articles published in English, French and Spanish between 2005 and 2018.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine articles were included in this review. For recipients, receiving a kidney is a positive experience (positive feelings and significant experience) that also involves certain difficulties and stressors (making a difficult decision, fears and worries). The experience of the donors is positive as they are motivated to improve the life of the recipient. They are committed to donating and use coping strategies as well as experiencing personal growth. On the contrary, being a donor involves certain difficulties and stressors (personal investment, mental, physical and economic impact and overcoming opposition) and a perception of deficiency in the health system (lack of information and attentiveness).

CONCLUSION

Donating and receiving a kidney is a positive experience that involves certain difficulties and a variety of stressors for both the donors and recipients. Moreover, the donors note deficiencies in the health system.

[The effects of preoperative anxiety on anesthetic recovery and postoperative pain in patients undergoing donor nephrectomy]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

It is suggested that 38-45% of patients experience preoperative anxiety. We observe that patients undergoing living donor nephrectomy suffer from anxiety. Preoperative anxiety may complicate a patient's recovery from anesthesia and postoperative pain control. This study investigates the preoperative anxiety rate and its effect on anesthetic recovery and postoperative pain in patients undergoing donor nephrectomy.

METHODS

Forty-eight individuals undergoing living-related renal donor nephrectomy were included in this analytic prospective observational cohort study. Their preoperative anxiety was measured with the STAI-I and STAI-II inventories. The relationships between anxiety scores with data regarding demographics, recovery from anesthesia, and postoperative pain scores were investigated.

RESULTS

The findings were remarkable in that the anxiety scores of living renal donors were significantly correlated with their recovery variables, which are spontaneous respiration time, sufficient respiration time, extubation time, and PACU discharge time (p<0.01). Anxiety scores were significantly positively correlated with the pain scores of the 30th minute, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th, 24th hours, and the total amounts of analgesic administered in 24hours (p<0.05). A significantly negative correlation was also determined between anxiety scores and patients' satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that patients undergoing living-related donor nephrectomy with high anxiety levels had late recovery times and high postoperative pain scores. Thus, determining those patients with high preoperative anxiety level is crucial to providing patients with satisfactory emerging from anesthesia and the control of their postoperative pain during donor nephrectomy.

Kidney Dyads: Caregiver Burden and Relationship Strain Among Partners of Dialysis and Transplant Patients

BACKGROUND

Caring for dialysis patients is difficult, and this burden often falls on a spouse or cohabiting partner (henceforth referred to as caregiver-partners). At the same time, these caregiver-partners often come forward as potential living kidney donors for their loved ones who are on dialysis (henceforth referred to as patient-partners). Caregiver-partners may experience tangible benefits to their well-being when their patient-partner undergoes transplantation, yet this is seldom formally considered when evaluating caregiver-partners as potential donors.

METHODS

To quantify these potential benefits, we surveyed caregiver-partners of dialysis patients and kidney transplant (KT) recipients (N = 99) at KT evaluation or post-KT. Using validated tools, we assessed relationship satisfaction and caregiver burden before or after their patient-partner's dialysis initiation and before or after their patient-partner's KT.

RESULTS

Caregiver-partners reported increases in specific measures of caregiver burden (P = 0.03) and stress (P = 0.01) and decreases in social life (P = 0.02) and sexual relations (P < 0.01) after their patient-partner initiated dialysis. However, after their patient-partner underwent KT, caregiver-partners reported improvements in specific measures of caregiver burden (P = 0.03), personal time (P < 0.01), social life (P = 0.01), stress (P = 0.02), sexual relations (P < 0.01), and overall quality of life (P = 0.03). These improvements were of sufficient impact that caregiver-partners reported similar levels of caregiver burden after their patient-partner's KT as before their patient-partner initiated dialysis (P = 0.3).

CONCLUSIONS

These benefits in caregiver burden and relationship quality support special consideration for spouses and partners in risk-assessment of potential kidney donors, particularly those with risk profiles slightly exceeding center thresholds.

The effects of preoperative anxiety on anesthetic recovery and postoperative pain in patients undergoing donor nephrectomy

Background and objectives

It is suggested that 38-45% of patients experience preoperative anxiety. We observe that patients undergoing living donor nephrectomy suffer from anxiety. Preoperative anxiety may complicate a patient’s recovery from anesthesia and postoperative pain control. This study investigates the preoperative anxiety rate and its effect on anesthetic recovery and postoperative pain in patients undergoing donor nephrectomy.

Methods

Forty-eight individuals undergoing living-related renal donor nephrectomy were included in this analytic prospective observational cohort study. Their preoperative anxiety was measured with the STAI-I and STAI-II inventories. The relationships between anxiety scores with data regarding demographics, recovery from anesthesia, and postoperative pain scores were investigated.

Results

The findings were remarkable in that the anxiety scores of living renal donors were significantly correlated with their recovery variables, which are spontaneous respiration time, sufficient respiration time, extubation time, and PACU discharge time (p < 0.01). Anxiety scores were significantly positively correlated with the pain scores of the 30th minute, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th, 24th hours, and the total amounts of analgesic administered in 24 hours (p < 0.05). A significantly negative correlation was also determined between anxiety scores and patients’ satisfaction.

Conclusion

Our study showed that patients undergoing living-related donor nephrectomy with high anxiety levels had late recovery times and high postoperative pain scores. Thus, determining those patients with high preoperative anxiety level is crucial to providing patients with satisfactory emerging from anesthesia and the control of their postoperative pain during donor nephrectomy.

Living Donors: Altruism and Feeling Forgotten

OBJECTIVES

Living donors endure several challenges throughout the organ donation process. Physically related effects are further compounded by social and emotional challenges. To date, no previous studies have addressed the motives and impact of organ donations from living donors in Jordan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a qualitative exploratory study to understand the experiences of a random sample of genetically and legally related living donors in Jordan. Participants were identified through the Directorate of the Jordanian Center for Organ Transplantation database. Our sample included Jordanians and non-Jordanians who donated a kidney or liver. Most data were collected by phone interviews with living donors; some donors were personally interviewed. Donors were asked about their experiences during the periods before and after the process of donation, including their feelings, emotions, and motives. Interviews were analyzed using the thematic analysis approach.

RESULTS

In total, 360 participants (337 kidney and 23 liver donors; 290 Jordanians and 70 non-Jordanians) completed the interview. The time from donation to interview ranged from 14 days to 7 years. The period before donation was characterized by fear and confusion. After donation, most donors described a positive emotional state that was marked by selfsatisfaction, pride, and increased support of organ donation. However, many stated that they felt forgotten. Most donors were motivated by social solidarity, and others invoked the role of their religious beliefs as the main motive. Other motives included improving the recipient's life and fear that patients would be abandoned.

CONCLUSIONS

The emotional distress of living donors during the predonation period emphasizes the need for social and psychological support in addition to medical evaluations. Donors who had positive experiences with donation can play a role in advocating for donation. Finally, in Jordan, social solidarity and religious beliefs are the most important factors that motivate donation.