Prevalence and management of gastrointestinal complications in lung transplant patients: MITOS study group.
BACKGROUND
No studies have yet been performed to evaluate the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) complications in solid organ transplant recipients in Spain.


METHODS
An observational, cross-sectional study to evaluate the prevalence and management of GI complications in transplanted patients was conducted via a written questionnaire given to doctors at their practice.


RESULTS
A total of 58 lung transplant recipients were included. Their mean age was 52.6 +/- 10.8 years; 65% of the patients were men; and the mean time since the transplant was 2.1 +/- 2.3 years. GI complications were seen in 48.6% of the lung transplant patients. Regarding the management, the most frequently used measure was the prescription of gastric protectors (70.5%). In seven patients, the immunosuppressive treatment was also modified (reduced, discontinued temporarily, or discontinued permanently); however, the figure is so low that no conclusions can be drawn from this result.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of GI complications in lung transplant was over 50%, and these complications affected patients' daily activities in most cases. In lung transplant recipients, there was a higher prevalence of nausea and abdominal pain and a lower of diarrhea and dyspepsia than what was observed in other type of transplant recipients.
Bravo
C
C
Hospital Vall d'Hebrón, Barcelona, Spain. cbravo@vhebron.net
Gispert
P
P
Borro
J M
JM
de la Torre
M
M
Cifrián Martínez
J M
JM
Fernández Rozas
S
S
Zurbano Goñi
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002102:Cadaver; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors