title: A systematic review of health-related quality of life and psychological outcomes after lung transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lung transplantation (LTx) aims to reduce physical disability and mental distress, extend survival, and improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL). In this systematic review we aimed to: (1) augment evidence regarding measures to assess HRQoL and psychological outcomes after LTx; and (2) summarize HRQoL and psychological outcomes after LTx.
  
  
  METHODS
  Validated and standardized instruments with well-known psychometric properties used for assessing HRQoL and psychological outcomes after LTx were identified by means of comprehensive literature searches of PsychINFO and Medline/PubMed, up through March 2014, using the following search terms in various combinations: lung transplantation; physical functioning; symptom experience; mental health; anxiety; depression; distress; social functioning; life satisfaction; and health-related quality of life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The search strategy identified 371 titles and abstracts. Of these, 279 were retrieved for further assessment and 63 articles selected for final review. Thirty-nine studies were found for HRQoL, 15 for physical functioning, 5 for mental health and 4 for social functioning. A total of 50 psychometric instruments were encountered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considerable heterogeneity exists in methodology, operational concepts and applied outcome measures in the existing literature on HRQoL and psychological outcomes after LTx. Nevertheless, the studies generally point to significant improvements in both mental health and HRQoL post-transplant. Further research is warranted utilizing consistent outcome measures, including LTx-specific measures and longitudinal study designs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: annina.seiler@usz.ch.
authors.forename: Annina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seiler
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Klaghofer
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ture
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Komossa
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martin-Soelch
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jenewein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life
keywords: health-related quality of life; lung transplantation; mental health; physical functioning; social functioning