Predictors of Long-Term Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescent Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Objectives This study aimed to identify prospective predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for adolescent solid organ (kidney, liver, heart, lung) transplant recipients. Methods Data regarding demographics, individual/transplant characteristics, and environmental characteristics were gathered from 66 adolescent transplant recipients and their families at baseline and used to predict the physical functioning, mental health, and general health perceptions domains of HRQOL 18 months later. Results Baseline levels of HRQOL explained the greatest amount of variance in levels of HRQOL at follow-up; however, specific demographic (i.e., income), individual/transplant (i.e., adherence, frequency of rescheduled clinic appointments, and presence of a rejection episode), and environmental factors (i.e., family conflict) contributed to the variance in HRQOL domains beyond baseline levels. Conclusions This study identified certain modifiable individual and environmental factors and non-modifiable risk factors associated with lower future HRQOL. Transplant centers should begin screening and addressing these factors to potentially improve HRQOL.