Gender Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life and Adherence 5 Years after Heart Transplantation

Abstract

Purpose There is a paucity of research on the effect of gender on outcomes after heart transplantation (HT). The purpose of our study was to examine differences in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and adherence by gender in patients (pts) who were 5 years post HT. Methods and Materials A secondary analysis was conducted from a prospective, longitudinal, multi-site study of outcomes long-term after HT, that included a sample of pts who were 5 years post HT (n=210). Pts completed the Quality of Life Index, Cardiac Depression Scale, PANAS-X, HT Stressor Scale, Jalowiec Coping Scale, HT Symptom Checklist, Social Support Index, and Assessment of Problems with the HT Regimen. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression models based on aggregated results of repeated bootstrap samples drawn from the original data. Results Our sample included men (n=168) and women (n=42) who were 57±9 vs 49±12 years of age (p Conclusions Psychological adjustment, social support, and adherence differed between men and women at 5 years after heart transplantation. Differences in these dimensions of HRQOL and adherence provide guidance in tailoring patient care long-term after heart transplantation.