Great expectations? Pre-transplant quality of life expectations and distress after kidney transplantation:A prospective study

ObjectivesPrevious research suggests that prior to kidney transplantation, patients overestimate their post-transplant quality of life (QoL). The current study aimed to corroborate these findings, identify determinants of QoL overestimation, examine its association with subsequent distress, and clarify the role of optimism.DesignProspective observational study.MethodsPhysical, psychological, and social QoL expectations, actual QoL, and distress (GHQ-12) of participants (56% male) were prospectively assessed before (T0; n=228) and 3 (T1; n=149), 6 (T2; n=146), and 12 (T3; n=114) months after successful transplantation.ResultsPatients who were treated with haemodialysis before transplantation reported greater physical QoL overestimation than those who received treatment with peritoneal dialysis. Neither physical nor social QoL overestimation at T1 was prospectively associated with increased distress at T2 or T3. The interaction between optimism and social QoL overestimation at T1 (=-.56, pConclusionsQoL overestimation is not associated with subsequent distress. Findings suggest that patients low in optimism are more vulnerable to distress following QoL overestimation.