Depression, anxiety, and quality of life among kidney donors before and after the kidney donation: A prospective study from a tertiary care center in India.

Background: Kidney donation is a significant procedure that can profoundly impact the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of renal donors. However, there is a lack of sufficient evidence regarding the specific effects of donation on the mental health and quality of life (QOL) of living kidney donors.

Aim: To evaluate and compare the levels of depression, anxiety, and QOL among living kidney donors before and after the donation procedure.

Materials and methods: We conducted a prospective longitudinal cohort study involving 50 consecutive living renal donors, assessing them before and 3 months after kidney donation. Depression and anxiety were evaluated using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), respectively. Furthermore, the QOL of kidney donors was compared using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF).

Result: The average age of kidney donors was 40.86 ± 8.59 years. Pre-transplant HAM-D and HAM-A scores showed significant negative correlations with post-transplant QoL domains (**P < 0.001). Regression analysis highlighted pre-transplant HAM-D as a significant predictor of post-transplant depression (P = 0.013).

Conclusion: Statistically significant differences in pre- and post-donation HAM-D and HAM-A scores were found, but clinical significance is crucial for interpreting real-world implications. Renal transplantation did not worsen mental health or QOL for donors post transplant, highlighting the importance of addressing pre-transplant depression and anxiety. Further research is needed to assess clinical significance and integrate mental health considerations into transplant care.