Factors associated with health-related quality of life of kidney transplant recipients in the municipality of Teresina, Piaui state, Brazil, 2010

Objective: to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and associated factors in kidney transplant recipients. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study with a random sample of 147 people in outpatient follow-up after transplantation. HRQOL was assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Bivariate analysis between SF-36 replies and sociodemographic variables was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Mean SF-36 scores indicated a positive assessment of HRQOL, with the exception of physical aspects (average of 48.4). The elderly presented lower scores in functional capacity, pain and physical aspects. Females presented lower scores with regard to mental health. Conclusion: impairments to physical health, functional and mental capacity may impose limits on self-care, indicating a need to plan collective and individual actions to prevent deterioration of HRQOL, with focus on vulnerability among the elderly.