Quality of life
Quality of life after lung transplantation: A cross-sectional study

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healun.2003.12.013Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

The increase in life expectancy has raised the importance of quality of life after lung transplantation, although this issue has not yet been systematically investigated. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to provide an overview of quality of life in lung transplant patients.

Methods

Between April and July 2001, a set of 4 questionnaires were given to all adult, German-speaking lung transplant recipients (n = 108; response rate 87% [n = 94]): St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), a lung-specific health status instrument; the Short Form-36 (SF-36), a general quality of life measure; the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D) and a self-reported questionnaire concerning sexual functioning, physical symptoms, adverse effects of immunosuppression and satisfaction with outcome.

Results

With regard to the SGRQ, all lung transplant recipients had significantly better scores, which reflected an enhanced quality of life compared with the reference value for patients with obstructive pulmonary disease (SGRQ: p < 0.001 in all sub-scales). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Mental Component Summary Scale of the SF-36 did not differ significantly compared with published normative data in the healthy population. However, the side effects of immunosuppression proved to be a major factor influencing the quality of life of lung transplant recipients (11% influenced strongly and 24% moderately). Seventy-six percent of lung transplant patients were highly satisfied with the transplant outcome and 92% would opt for the procedure again. Among all lung transplant recipients, those with cystic fibrosis were most satisfied (significantly) with their quality of life.

Conclusions

Although lung transplant patients must cope with the side effects of immunosuppression, they report a highly satisfying quality of life with regard to physical and emotional well-being and social and sexual function.

Section snippets

Study population and procedures

Between April and July 2001, all living patients who had ever received a lung transplant at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Vienna, were considered for inclusion in this cross-sectional study. The recipients had to fulfill several criteria: age >18 years; the ability to read and understand German; and an elapsed period of >3 months after transplant.

The patients were given a study kit during their check-up visit to the outpatient department. The study kit included a set

Demographic and clinical data

One hundred eight lung transplant patients were included in the study, of whom 94 returned the study package (response rate 87%). Demographic and clinical data are presented in Table 1.

Quality of life

Data from the SGRQ demonstrated statistically lower rates of respiratory problems among lung transplantat recipients as compared with reference values for patients with obstructive pulmonary disease. Consequently, all sub-scale and total scale groups of our patients demonstrated a significantly higher standard

Discussion

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to document quality of life for lung-transplanted patients in a comprehensive manner. The patients were questioned using standardized, self-developed questionnaires, and the results were compared with normative data from the general population. The results reflect a high quality of life and satisfaction with the outcome of transplantation, although the patients suffered from the side effects of immunosuppression and from psychologic symptoms.

Cited by (120)

  • Patient-Centered Outcomes in Lung Transplantation

    2021, Encyclopedia of Respiratory Medicine, Second Edition
  • Assessment of Quality of Life Among Patients After Lung Transplantation: A Single-Center Study

    2020, Transplantation Proceedings
    Citation Excerpt :

    These are particularly important for patients whose mental state temporarily collapsed or collapsed long term after LTx, especially during acute deterioration of graft function or chronic lung allograft dysfunction. The results obtained from SGRQ in our study are convergent to those demonstrated in a study by Smeritschnig [19] among patients after LTx for symptoms, activity, impact component, and total score (32.76% ± 26.07 vs 21.1% ± 18.5; 35.83% ± 28.97 vs 36.9% ± 25.0; 26.39% ± 18.67% vs 20.7% ± 18.3; 30.24% ± 20.87 vs 24.4% ± 18.3; respectively). Normative mean values for Spain’s general population with no history of lung disease in SGRQ are: 12.00%, 9.00%, 2.00%, and 6.00%, respectively, for symptoms, activity, impacts, and total score [20].

View all citing articles on Scopus
View full text