Quality of life, socioeconomic impact, and medical consideration of living kidney donors: a comprehensive survey in Korea.

Background: South Korea stands out as a prominent nation relying heavily on living-donor transplants, with a high incidence of living-donor kidney transplants. This study aimed to obtain objective data on the psychological, social, and mental health status of living kidney donors in South Korea.

Methods: A questionnaire was administered to living kidney donors at two tertiary hospitals between June 2020 and November 2020. The survey covered demographic information, motives for donation, concerns during donation, medical and socioeconomic evaluation, pain assessment, quality of life using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey measurement, and depression screening using the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire.

Results: A total of 95 donors completed the pre-donation survey, 273 completed the post-donation survey, and 68 completed both surveys. Most donors prioritized altruistic reasons for donating, with concerns primarily related to physical issues. After donation, the donors experienced a decrease in subjective health scores and quality of life and an increase in depressive symptoms. Economic and social changes were reported by 34.2% of the donors, with significant financial burdens related to surgical costs and insurance restrictions.

Conclusion: Living kidney donors in Korea face psychological, social, and economic challenges after donation. Understanding the donors' concerns and difficulties is crucial to ensure their wellbeing and provide appropriate support.