Evaluation of disease care and life satisfaction of patients after renal transplantation

Introduction and Purpose:Renal transplantation, almost all end-stage renal disease preferred is the lost kidney function replacement therapy. In this study, it was aimed to define the needs of the patients with renal transplantation, to evaluate the importance of following chronic diseases, to determine the life satisfaction level of patients with renal transplantation and the role of family physicians in the management of chronic diseases. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 92 renal transplant patients who were admitted to Çukurova University Medical Faculty Balcalı Hospital Family Medicine Policlinic on 01.04.2015-01.12.2015 and who were followed for more than six months and accepted to participate in the study.Sociodemographic information form, chronic disease care scale and life satisfaction scale were used. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS 20.0 package program by entering the collected data on a computer. Results: Ninety-six patients (69.5%) were male and 28 (30.5%) were female. The average age of the participants is 37.70 ± 10.98 (min: 18 max: 70) years. The mean posttransplant time was 48,61 ± 36,11 (min: 3 max: 120) months in females and 29,28 ± 44,30 (min: 3 max: 216) months in males. Primary diseases causing renal failure were glomerulonephritis (n: 37, 40,2%), hypertension (n: 30,32,6%), diabetes mellitus (n: 3,3,2%). Patients' score of chronic disease care scale was 2,67 ± 0,74 (min: 1,60 max: 4,80). When the subscale mean scores were examined, it was determined that the highest score was taken in the decision subscale and the lowest score was taken in the follow-up coordination subscale. Life satisfaction scores were 22.16 ± 6.0 (min: 5 max: 35). There was a moderate correlation between age and scale score (p: 0.004). Significant correlations were found between "patient participation" and "problem solving" scores of patients and life satisfaction (p: 0,015, p: 0,026, respectively). Concluion:Follow-up and care of renal transplant patients is difficult. With appropriate training and teamwork, health care professionals and family physicians will be able to provide comprehensive and chronic disease management for patients with renal transplantation; They will be able to increase the survival, quality of life and current health levels of patients in a cost effective manner. Key words: Family medicine, chronic disease care, renal transplantation, life satisfaction