[Physical quality of life and social support in patients on the waiting list and after a lung transplantation].

BACKGROUND

The present study was carried out to assess quality of life, level of depression and perceived social support of patients on the waiting list and after a lung transplantation.

METHODS

19 patients on the waiting list for lung transplantation and 20 patients 5 - 47 months after transplantation were enrolled in the study. Quality of life was measured by the SF-36 Health Survey, the level of depression with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the perceived social support with the questionnaire for social support (F-SOZU).

RESULTS

Significant differences were observed in indicators regarding physical functioning, role-physical, vitality, health perception and social functioning. Both groups showed equal levels of depression and their number of perceived support persons. The perceived support correlates negatively with the level of depression. Transplanted women reported significant more burdensome relationships when compared to transplanted men.

CONCLUSION

The effects of lung transplantation are shown best in all indexes of SF-36 associated with physical functioning. In both groups social support is positively correlated with the quality of life and negatively correlated with the level of depression. Perceived positive relationships reduces the risk of psychological disturbance. However, the results may also point to a different coping pattern for patients with a low level of depression.