284 The Quality of Life (QoL) after lung transplantation (LT) between omnipotence, denial and reality principle

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate the QoL considering the personality structure, the levels of anxiety and health conditions in patients with cystic fibrosis after LT. Methods The SF36 – QoL questionnaire (scale 0–100) and the STAI-Y test were administered during the follow-up after LT. Results 13 subjects (6 males) with cystic fibrosis were assessed. The mean value of SF36 was 86.0 points (in females 87.8 and in males 83.8 points). Surprisingly, the STAI-Y 1 test showed higher levels of state anxiety compared to reference values in 100% of males and 71.4% of females. In the same way, the STAI-Y 2 test, which assesses the trait of anxiety in the personality, showed a high score in 76.8% of subjects. It occurred in all males and 57% of females. The mean value of FEV1 was 81.2 (±20.01). Conclusions Although the QoL and the lung function showed values in the normal range, but the level of anxiety was very high in our patients. One possible reason could be that QoL is strongly related to physical performance. Health workers should anyway consider the coexistence of both a good QoL and a high level of anxiety after LT. So it is necessary to plan a systematic psychological support for the transplanted patients even where they give us a good construction of their life.