Longitudinal study of quality of life and psychological adjustment after cardiac transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the psychological adjustment and quality of life of a sample of cardiac transplant recipients over time.


METHODS
The patients were consecutive recipients of new hearts which were transplanted between November 1984 and December 1986. Thirty-eight patients were entered into the study, but at final follow-up only 27 were assessed; six patients had died and five could not be contacted. Patients were seen before transplantation, at discharge, then at 4, 8 and 12 months after transplantation and finally at a mean of 4.2 years after transplantation. They were assessed by means of standardised questionnaires. The results were compared across time and correlated with demographic data and medical data collected at the initial assessment. Only patients who were alive and responded at each point of follow-up were included in the study.


METHODS
All patients were seen at St Vincent's Public Hospital and were tertiary care patients.


METHODS
The main outcome measures were anxiety, depression and well-being. These measures were assessed by means of the Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Campbell Well-Being Scale. At the four year follow-up the Nottingham Health Profile was also used.


RESULTS
Scores for anxiety, depression and well-being improved significantly after transplantation and did not deteriorate over time. No significant correlations were found between psychological measures and medical or demographic data.


CONCLUSIONS
The results showed no evidence of mood disorder and a high level of well-being in this sample of cardiac transplant recipients up to four years after transplantation.
Jones
B M
BM
Cardiopulmonary Transplant Unit, St. Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW.
Taylor
F
F
Downs
K
K
Spratt
P
P
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D009517:New South Wales; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life