Fatigue 1–5 years after lung transplantation: A multicenter cross-sectional cohort study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of fatigue among lung recipients 1–5 years after transplantation (LuTx) and to explore its relationship to distressing symptoms such as dyspnea, sleep problems, pain, and decreased appetite, as well as psychological and transplant specific wellbeing. A cross-sectional, multicenter cohort study was conducted. A total of 117 lung recipients with a mean age of 54 years ( SD 13 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. Overall 56% reported high or severe fatigue. The Psychological General Well-Being sum score makes the strongest contribution ( p < .0001) to explaining the variance in general fatigue (Beta –.628). The results of the study indicate that efforts both to identify fatigue and to test interventions are needed after LuTx.