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Health-related quality of life,uncertainty and coping strategies in solid organ transplant recipients during shielding for the COVID-19 pandemic |
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| Authors: | Siobhan C. McKay Hanns Lembach Angus Hann Kelvin Okoth Joy Anderton Krishnarajah Nirantharakumar Laura Magill Barbara Torlinska Matthew Armstrong Jorge Mascaro Nicholas Inston Thomas Pinkney Aaron Ranasinghe Richard Borrows James Ferguson John Isaac Melanie Calvert M. Thamara P. R. Perera Hermien Hartog |
| Affiliation: | 1. The Liver Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK;2. Birmingham Centre for Observational and Prospective Studies (BiCOPS), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK;3. Patient Research Partner, Liver & Gastro-Intestinal Patient and Public Involvement Group, Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Birmingham, UK;4. Centre for Patient Reported Outcomes Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK Birmingham Health Partners Centre for Regulatory Science and Innovation, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK;5. Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK;6. Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK;7. Department of Academic Surgery, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK Birmingham Centre for Observational and Prospective Studies (BiCOPS), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK;8. Centre for Patient Reported Outcomes Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK |
| Abstract: | Strict isolation of vulnerable individuals has been a strategy implemented by authorities to protect people from COVID-19. Our objective was to investigate health-related quality of life (HRQoL), uncertainty and coping behaviours in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey of adult SOT recipients undergoing follow-up at our institution was performed. Perceived health status, uncertainty and coping strategies were assessed using the EQ-5D-5L, Short-form Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale (SF-MUIS) and Brief Cope, respectively. Interactions with COVID-19 risk perception, access to health care, demographic and clinical variables were assessed. The survey was completed by 826 of 3839 (21.5%) invited participants. Overall, low levels of uncertainty in illness were reported, and acceptance was the major coping strategy (92%). Coping by acceptance, feeling protected, self-perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 were associated with lower levels of uncertainty. Health status index scores were significantly lower for those with mental health illness, compromised access to health care, a perceived high risk of severe COVID-19 infection and higher levels of uncertainty. A history of mental health illness, risk perceptions, restricted healthcare access, uncertainty and coping strategies was associated with poorer HRQoL in SOT recipients during strict isolation. These findings may allow identification of strategies to improve HRQoL in SOT recipients during the pandemic. |
| Keywords: | COVID-19 health-related quality of life isolation mental health shielding transplant |