The influence of anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder on quality of life after thoracic organ transplantation

Objectives: This study examines stress factors, resources of coping, psychopathological symptoms and their influence on health-related quality of life (QoL) in patients after heart or lung transplantation. Methods: 82 Patients were examined with the questionnaires SF-36 (QoL), HADSD (anxiety and depression), IES-R and PTSS-10 (post traumatic stress disorder, PTSD) 32.3 (4-86) months after transplantation. Stress factors, resources and diagnostic criteria for PTSD were investigated by structured interview. Results: In the entire sample, anxiety, depression and QoL were in the range of normal population. A subgroup of 13 patients with a PTSD diagnose had significantly reduced QoL. Anxiety and intrusion explained the 42% variance of psychosocial score of QOL. There was a lower influence of depression on the medical score of QoL. Conclusions: Psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression and PTSD significantly influence QoL after heart or lung transplantation. Patients with a PTSD diagnose hid poor QoL. Screening for PTSD should be part of routine evaluation after organ transplantation.