Psychosocial outcomes for children receiving a kidney transplant: a 30 year follow-up of patients of the Centre for Paediatric Nephrology, Münster

Aim/Background: The aim of this single-centre study is to assess the social development of children suffering from early onset chronic renal disease into adulthood. A focus is put on their education and professional life as well as on their family life and satisfaction with life. Material/Methods: 57 former patients of the centre for paediatric nephrology in Münster (Germany) who received a kidney-transplant during childhood and adolescence where asked to complete a postal questionnaire. The survey asked for information on family life, schooling, vocational qualification and employment. Furthermore the participants’ satisfaction with life was assessed by the standardized Questionnaire on Satisfaction in Life (FLZ)”.Results: 50 participants (87,7%) returned a fully completed questionnaire. The average age of participants was 30,7 years (SD: 7,3; range: 20,0-44,2). 38 (76%) of them had a functioning graft. All but 5 participants had a secondary school degree. 42 (84%) participants had completed a professional training or were still in education. At the time of assessment 25 participants (50%) were working. The level of education was lower compared to the general population. 30 participants (60%) lived on their own or with a partner. 5 women had given birth to a total of 6 children; 3 men had become fathers. The mean general and health-related satisfaction with life is not significantly reduced as compared to the age matched general population. However, there were subscores of significant difference showing that participants were dissatisfied with their “partnership/sexuality”, their “family life / offspring” and their “income” as well as with their “physical condition” and their “ability to relax”.Conclusions: In individual cases social development can be almost unimpaired. However in general there is a widely reported dissatisfaction concerning specific areas of general as well as health-related quality of life. Also the social development in regard to the domestic situation and employment is hindered. This indicates a negative impact of early onset chronic renal disease on the social development. A need for psychosocial support to allow for an improved development into adulthood can be stated.