Under the U.S. Lung Allocation Score (LAS) system, older and sicker patients are prioritized for lung transplantation (LT). The impact of these changes on health-related quality of life (HRQL) after transplant has not been determined. In a single-center prospective cohort study, from 2010–2016 we assessed HRQL before and repeatedly after LT for up to 3 years using the SF12-Physical and Mental Health, the respiratory-specific Airway Questionnaire 20-Revised, and the Euroqol 5D/Visual Analog Scale utility measures by multivariate linear mixed models jointly modeled with death. We also tested changes in LT-Valued Life Activities disability, BMI, allograft function, and 6-minute walk test exercise capacity as predictors of HRQL change. Amongst 211 initial participants (92% of those eligible), LT improved HRQL by all five measures (p<0.05) and all but SF12-Mental Health improved by three-fold or greater than the minimally clinically important difference. Compared to younger participants, those aged ≥65 improved less in SF12-Physical and Mental Health (p<0.01). Improvements in disability accounted for much of the HRQL improvement. In the LAS era, LT affords meaningful and durable HRQL improvements, mediated by amelioration of disability. Identifying factors limiting HRQL improvement in selected subgroups, especially those aged ≥65, are needed to maximize the net-benefits of LT.

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Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.An ACVR1 activating mutation causes heat and mechanical pain hypersensitivity and induces sensory neuron hyperexcitability in humans.

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