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Depression and PTSD symptoms in caregivers of lung transplant patients
May 19, 2008Symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among caregivers of deceased lung transplant patients are four-to-five times more prevalent than in the average population, according to researchers who analyzed the stress levels of caregivers, as well as their perceptions of the transplant recipients' quality of dying and death. Their findings were presented at the American Thoracic Society's 2008 International Conference in Toronto on Monday, May 19.
Caregivers of all lung transplant recipients at the University of Washington who had died within the last five years were assessed using three validated questionnaires that measured their burden of depression, their level of PTSD symptoms and the quality of their loved ones' last days.
"We found that caregivers reported that their loved one's symptoms were poorly controlled and that the quality of the dying and death process was worse than that of other populations. In addition, family members who perceived that their loved one had either a lower quality of dying and death or poorly controlled pain symptoms, were more likely to have symptoms consistent with PTSD," said Cynthia Gries, M.D., M,Sc., of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.
This is the first study to evaluate the caregivers' experience with end-of-life care in lung transplant patients, and to evaluate the psychological effects it has on those family members who survive.
"Most people don't realize that prior to wait-listing a patient as a lung transplant candidate, a caregiver plan must exist to support the patient through the entire process," said Dr. Gries. That process can be lengthy and grueling for the caregiver as well as the patient, resulting in much higher rates of depression and PTSD symptoms.
"The caregivers we studied had rates of depressive symptoms of 21 percent and of PTSD symptoms of 32 percent, compared to the average in the general population of six to seven percent," she continued. "This suggests that there is a significant burden of psychological symptoms in family members which has previously been unrecognized."
The study demonstrates that there is an urgent need for significant improvement in areas such as symptom management. Dr. Gries believes that having trained counselors to help family members with emotional needs, as well as financial issues, could reduce the stress on caregivers. "We hope that our findings will increase awareness among clinicians that caregivers experience a significant burden of symptoms and may need additional support," she concluded.
American Thoracic Society
This is the first study to evaluate the caregivers' experience with end-of-life care in lung transplant patients, and to evaluate the psychological effects it has on those family members who survive.
"Most people don't realize that prior to wait-listing a patient as a lung transplant candidate, a caregiver plan must exist to support the patient through the entire process," said Dr. Gries. That process can be lengthy and grueling for the caregiver as well as the patient, resulting in much higher rates of depression and PTSD symptoms.
"The caregivers we studied had rates of depressive symptoms of 21 percent and of PTSD symptoms of 32 percent, compared to the average in the general population of six to seven percent," she continued. "This suggests that there is a significant burden of psychological symptoms in family members which has previously been unrecognized."
The study demonstrates that there is an urgent need for significant improvement in areas such as symptom management. Dr. Gries believes that having trained counselors to help family members with emotional needs, as well as financial issues, could reduce the stress on caregivers. "We hope that our findings will increase awareness among clinicians that caregivers experience a significant burden of symptoms and may need additional support," she concluded.
American Thoracic Society
Lung Transplant Current Events and Lung Transplant News RSSTest helps in fight against lung infections and for treating other life-threatening infections
A new test developed by Edmonton-based Innovotech™ Inc. will now allow doctors to more accurately identify the right antibiotics required to treat serious, chronic infections that are biofilm based.
Pitt team first to profile genes in acutely ill idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients
The first findings from a one-of-a-kind, patient-driven effort to provide lung tissue for research might help doctors predict when patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are becoming dangerously ill and also could point the way to interventions that could sustain them until life-saving transplants can be performed.
Women with cystic fibrosis can have safe and successful fertility treatment
Women with cystic fibrosis can have fertility treatment to help them have babies without any long-term adverse effects on either themselves or their children.
Gene therapy technique thwarts cancer by cutting off tumor blood supply
University of Florida researchers have come up with a new gene therapy method to disrupt cancer growth by using a synthetic protein to induce blood clotting that cuts off a tumor's blood and nutrient supply.
Protein may be strongest indicator of rare lung disease, study shows
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) have discovered a protein in the lungs that can help in determining progression of the rare lung disease Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).
Breathing life into injured lungs: World-first technique will expand lung donor organ pool
For the first time in the world, transplant surgeons at Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network used a new technique to repair an injured donor lung that was unsuitable for transplant, and then successfully transplanted it into a patient.
New clinical trial for patients with asbestos-associated lung cancer
The Mesothelioma Center within the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center is now recruiting patients for a clinical research study of a new targeted radiation and chemotherapy protocol for pleural mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung's lining that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos.
UCSF marks a milestone with 500th transplant in heart and lung program
UCSF marked a milestone this week with the 500th procedure in its Thoracic Transplant Program, which specializes in transplantation of the heart and lung.
Lung transplants in cystic fibrosis patients with life-threatening bacteria sparks debate at ISHLT
During Wednesday's Satellite Symposium 3: The Challenges of Lung Transplantation in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) at the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions, clinicians and researchers discussed some of the unique challenges in achieving excellent lung transplant outcomes in patients with CF.
Biomarkers may reduce need for biopsies
Data presented at this week's 28th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) suggest the potential of a significant impact of using biomarkers to reduce the need for biopsies and personalize transplant patient care.
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