Quality of life and metrics of achievement in long-term adult survivors of pediatric heart transplant.
Many children who undergo heart transplantation will survive into adulthood. We sought to examine the QOL and capacity for achievement in long-term adult survivors of pediatric heart transplantation. Adults >18 yr of age who received transplants as children (≤18 yr old) and had survived for at least 10 yr post-transplant completed two self-report questionnaires: (i) Ferrans & Powers QLI, in which life satisfaction is reported as an overall score and in four subscale domains and is then indexed from 0 (very dissatisfied) to 1 (very satisfied); and (ii) a "Metrics of Life Achievement" questionnaire regarding income, education, relationships, housing status, and access to health care. A total of 20 subjects completed the survey. The overall mean QLI score was 0.77 ± 0.16. Subjects were most satisfied in the family domain (0.84 ± 0.21) and least satisfied in the psychological/spiritual domain (0.7 ± 0.28). Satisfaction in the domains of health/functioning and socioeconomic were intermediate at 0.78 and 0.76, respectively. Most respondents had graduated from high school, reported a median annual income >$50 000/yr, and lived independently. Adult survivors of pediatric heart transplant report a good QOL and demonstrate the ability to obtain an education, work, and live independently.
Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology), Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
Seth A
SA
Hollander
Sharon
S
Chen
Helen
H
Luikart
Mary
M
Burge
Amanda M
AM
Hollander
David N
DN
Rosenthal
Katsuhide
K
Maeda
Sharon A
SA
Hunt
Daniel
D
Bernstein
D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors; D055815:Young Adult
heart; heart transplantation; quality-of-life