Pancreas transplantation: assessing secondary complications and life quality.

Two sequential studies of life quality among pancreas transplant recipients are reported. The first study (n = 32) investigated symptoms of neuropathy, enteropathy and retinopathy, along with well-being post successful transplantation. Patients noted improvement in secondary complications, were satisfied with the procedure and expressed hope for the future. The second study compared physical and social function, burden of symptoms, emotional/mental state and sense of well-being in successful (n = 31) and successful (n = 13) pancreas transplant recipients. Patient satisfaction with pancreas transplantation was high. Successful transplant patients perceived their health to be good, believed it would continue to be good, with life quality becoming better over time. The failed group expected life quality to become worse.