Posttraumatic stress symptoms after solid-organ transplantation: preoperative risk factors and the impact on health-related quality of life and life satisfaction

Background: Solid-organ transplantations (SOT) are usually
life-saving high-tech medical procedures. The transplantation
itself and the intensive care unit stay could be traumatic
stressors triggering posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Our
retrospective follow-up study aimed to explore preoperative risk
factors of PTSS in a cohort of SOT recipients, and we investigated
how PTSS are associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL)
and life satisfaction. Methods: 126 SOT recipients were enrolled in
this investigation. Psychiatric examination of all SOT candidates
based on the Transplant Evaluation Rating Scale was carried out
before SOT, and after SOT, recipients completed the PTSS-10, the
SF-36 and the FLZ. Results: After the surgical intervention 19
(15.1\%) SOT recipients had clinical significant PTSS. Preoperative
risk factors for developing postoperative PTSS were: 1.)
preexisting psychiatric morbidity, 2.) history of
retransplantation, 3.) chronic benzodiazepine consumption, 4.) age,
and 5.) type of transplantation. SOT-related PTSS were associated
with maximal decrements in HRQOL and life satisfaction. The
following HRQOL and life satisfaction domains were affected:
Physical Functioning, Role Physical, Pain, General Health,
Vitality, Social Functioning, Role Emotional, Mental Health,
Occupation/Work and Character/Own Skills. Conclusion: SOT
recipients may face a major risk of transplantation-and
treatment-related PTSS and the development of impairments to HRQOL
and life satisfaction.