Quality of life 1 year after lung transplantation.
Lung transplantation is a viable therapeutic option for patients with end-stage lung disease. The focus of interest has shifted from advances in surgical techniques to improved quality of life for the transplant recipient. A prospective longitudinal repeated measures design was used to determine the impact of lung transplantation on quality of life and life satisfaction. Using 4 measurement points (before transplantation, after 8 weeks, and after 6 and 12 months), 61 patients were followed from before to 1 year after successful lung transplantation. Quality of life was measured using 2 generic (SF-36, Quality of Life Profile for Chronic Diseases) and 1 lung-specific (Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire) questionnaires. All dimensions of the health-related scores improved significantly after transplantation, except bodily pain. Patients reported the most significant improvements until 6 months after transplantation. Lung transplantation had no influence on social functioning or role emotional. The Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire ratings showed similar significantly better scores for transplant recipients at 6 months, and stagnations for most dimensions afterward.
Kugler
Christiane
C
Hanover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.
Strueber
Martin
M
Tegtbur
Uwe
U
Niedermeyer
Jost
J
Haverich
Axel
A
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires