Transplantation Nursing Posters

Monday July 02, 2018 from 16:30 to 17:30

Room: Hall 10 - Exhibition

P.695 Fatigue one to five years after lung transplantation - A significant problem

Anna Forsberg, Sweden

Professor in Transplant Nursing
Lund University
Institute of Health Sciences

Abstract

Fatigue one to Five Years after Lung Transplantation - A Significant Problem

Anna Forsberg1,3, Annika Kisch1,5, Annette Lennerling2,3, Sofie Jakobsson2.

1Lund University, Institute of Health Sciences, Lund, Sweden; 2Gothenburg University, Institute of Health and Caring Sciences, Gothenburg, Sweden; 3Skåne University Hospital, The Thoracic transplant unit, Lund, Sweden; 4Sahlgrenska University Hospital, The Transplant Centre, Gothenburg, Sweden; 5Skåne University Hospital, Department of Haematology, Lund, Sweden

The Swedish SMATT-study (Self-management after thoracic transplantation).

Introduction: No comprehensive analysis has been performed regarding fatigue after lung transplantation (LuTx), despite the well-known fact that it influences quality of life and hampers self-management. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of fatigue among lung recipients 1-5 years after transplantation and to explore its relationship to distressing symptoms such as dyspnea, sleep problems, pain, and decreased appetite, as well as psychological and transplant specific well-being.
Methods: This multicenter, cross-sectional cohort study is a part of the Swedish national study: self-management after thoracic transplantation (SMATT). A total of 117 lung recipients with a mean age of 54 years who were due for their annual follow-up were included at 1 year (n=35), 2 years (n=28), 3 years (n=23), 4 years (n=20), and 5 years (n=11) after lung transplantation. Several instruments were used: the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, the Organ Transplant and Symptom Well-being Instrument (OTSWI), the Pain-O-Meter, and the Psychological General Well-Being Index.
Results and Discussion: Overall 56 % reported high or severe fatigue. All lung recipients had a high level of general fatigue, median score 12 (IQR 8-16), irrespective of the length of time since transplantation. The proportion of recipients with severe fatigue ranged from 22-45 % depending on follow-up time. There were no significant differences between men and women in the MFI-20 subscales except for mental fatigue, where women reported more severe mental fatigue (p<0.05). Lung recipients reporting inability to work were significantly more fatigued in all subscales than those working or studying The psychological general well-being sum score makes the strongest contribution (p<.0001) to explaining general fatigue (Beta -.628) in contrast to the transplant specific wellbeing score (Beta .203, p=.034). Thus, more than half of the lung recipients suffer from high or severe fatigue that possibly hampers the ability of going back to work and negatively affects mental wellbeing. Our study highlights the importance of identifying appropriate interventions targeting fatigue after LuTx. Based on experiences from cancer related fatigue, combined exercise and psychological interventions are most effective and interventions based on pharmaceutical treatment and education are insufficient.
Conclusion: High or severe fatigue is common 1-5 years after lung transplantation but varies depending on follow-up time. Poor psychological general well-being is a strong contributor to fatigue.



© 2024 TTS2018