Quality of life and metrics of achievement in long‐term adult survivors of pediatric heart transplant. (12th November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hollander, Seth A.; Chen, Sharon; Luikart, Helen; Burge, Mary; Hollander, Amanda M.; Rosenthal, David N.; Maeda, Katsuhide; Hunt, Sharon A.; Bernstein, Daniel
• Is Part Of: Pediatric transplantation. Volume 19:Number 1(2015:Feb.)
• Page Start: 76
• Page End: 81
• Publication Date: 2014-11-12
• Subjects: Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc. in children -- Periodicals; 617.95408305
• DOI: 10.1111/petr.12384
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1397-3142

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="petr12384-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>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 &gt;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 &amp; 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 &gt;$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.</p> </abstract>