Extremes of Age Decrease Survival After Lung Transplant

Abstract

CARLI J. LEHR The aim of this study was to determine impact of the age of lung transplant recipients on survival after lung transplant. We used data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and studied 14,253 adult lung transplant recipients between January 1, 2006 and February 19, 2015. Survival was estimated using a non-proportional hazard model and random-survival forest methodology to examine risk-factors for death. Risk factors were obtained for the entire population and additional age-specific risk factors were identified for each age category. There were 1,098 (7.7%) recipients < 30 years, 4,201 (29.5%) 30-55 years, and 8,954 (62.8%) > 55 years of age. The youngest and oldest recipients experienced the lowest post-transplant survival. Risk factors for death for the entire population included extremes of age, higher creatinine, single lung transplant, hospitalization prior to transplant, and increased bilirubin. Age was the most significant risk factor for death at all time-points following transplant.