Gender and age differences in symptom distress and functional disability one year after heart transplant surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Symptoms and functional status are major concerns for heart transplant (HT) recipients. The study objective was to examine gender and age differences in symptom distress and functional disability 1 year after HT surgery.


METHODS
The sample (N = 237) consisted of 44 female and 193 male patients who were divided into younger (n = 66) and older (n = 171) groups with the breakpoint at age 50 years. Data from chart review and 2 questionnaires (Heart Transplant Symptom Checklist and Sickness Impact Profile) were analyzed with chi-square test, t tests, analysis of variance, and multivariate analysis of variance.


RESULTS
Women reported worse symptom distress (overall, plus cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, dermatologic symptoms) and more functional disability (overall, plus disability in ambulation, mobility, self-care, home management). Older patients reported more disability in ambulation and work. Gender by age interactions showed that older men reported worse genitourinary symptoms and younger women reported worse dermatologic symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
There were more gender than age differences in symptoms and disability.
Jalowiec
Anne
A
School of Nursing, Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois, USA. ajalowiec@yahoo.com
Grady
Kathleen L
KL
White-Williams
Connie
C
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult