Quality of sleep in kidney transplant recipients: Any relationship with quality of life?

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between quality of sleep (QoS) and demographic, clinical, and psychosocialfactors in kidney transplant recipients.Materials and Methods: We examined sixty-four kidney transplant recipients (26 female, 38 male). Clinical, demographic, andbiochemical parameters were analyzed. The QoS was evaluated using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), health-related qualityof life (HRQoL) with SF-36 Health Survey and depressive symptoms with Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI).Results: A comparison of good and poor QoS (PSQI ≤ 5, PSQI > 5, respectively) groups showed a significant difference only in BDIscores (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference regarding urea, creatinine, ferritin, albumin, and other laboratoryparameters. Thirty-six of the 46 patients (80%) in the good QoS group were married, while 10 of 19 patients (52%) in the poor QoSgroup were single. Married individuals had significantly better QoS (p=0.026). A comparison of the domains of the HRQoL surveyshowed significantly better “physical function” in those with good QoS than those with poor QoS (51 ± 6 and 47 ± 8, respectively; p< 0.017).Conclusion: Patients with poor QoS had worse HRQoL. Routine screening of depressive symptoms, which may be manageable isrequired for improving QoS and HRQoL in these patients.