Introduction: The transition from adolescence period to adult life in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Kidney transplantation (KTx) is related to less treatment adherence and an increased graft loss. There is an excellent level of evidence that a proper Transition process decreases graft rejection and improves clinical outcomes.
Objective: To set up a transition program, a socio-demographic characterization of adolescents with kidney transplantation was done previously.
Methods: This is a quantitative and descriptive transversal study of 11 to 19 years patient´s group from Pediatric nephrology service in a Transplant Unit in Cali, Colombia. We gathered 31 kidney transplants patients and four patients on Kidney Tx protocol. A pilot proof was done, with the same test, to a group with different chronic health issues.
Results: CAKUT was the first cause of CKD; 54% were males, the mean age was14,3 ± 2,3 years, 23% were African descendants, 65% proceeded from Valle del Cauca state, and 35% from other forms of Colombian southwest. 65% corresponded to a low socio-economical level. 44% had a primary school, 47% high school, and 9% higher education regarding educational level. The mother was the primary caregiver in 85%, and 63% of caregivers had got some high school grades. Among the patients tested, 89% pointed out the health status as good.
Conclusions: The present study allowed them to incorporate knowledge about the chronic disease, the treatment obligations, and preparedness for future evaluation about the transition to adulthood.
Keywords: adolescence, kidney transplantation, transition