Health Related Quality of Life Following Single- Versus Double Lung Transplantation

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in lung transplant recipients (LTR) undergoing single- vs. double lung transplantation. Methods: 95 double LTR and 57 single LTR of our lung transplantation (LTx) follow-up program (80 [53%] female, 4.5±3.2 years after LTx, age 50±11.9 years, 28 [18%] BOS stage≥1) were evaluated using the standardized global SF-36 questionnaire, the “Quality of Life Profile for Chronic Diseases Questionnaire” (PLC) as well as the specific “St. Georges' Respiratory Questionnaire” (SGRQ). Results: Both groups were statistically indistinguishable in terms of clinical data including BOS stage and follow-up time. Compared to single LTR, double LTR demonstrated a significantly higher quality of life regarding SF-36 “physical functioning” (p≤0.01), “general medical heath” (p=0.02), “mental health” (p=0.03) along with PLC “exercise capacity” (p=0.007), “ability to enjoy and relax” (p=0.003), “positive mood” (p=0.031) and “sociability” (p=0.007). Furthermore, HRQoL self-ratings of double LTR were significantly better in all SGRQ subscales (p≤0.01), indicating a superior disease specific HRQoL. Conclusion: Our data suggest that there are relevant HRQoL differences concerning type of transplant procedure. In our study double LTR had a significantly better generic and disease-specific quality of life following LTx. These findings need to be considered for future studies assessing outcome of LTx by HRQoL questionnaires.