Lung Transplant Recipients Holding Companion Animals: Impact on Physical Health and Quality of Life

Abstract

Since lung transplant recipients are susceptible to infections and inhaled pollution, many centers warn against pets. However, data supporting this recommendation are lacking. Our program is less restrictive regarding pets. This study, for the first time, investigates the association of pets with physiological and psychological parameters in these patients. A questionnaire concerning pets was sent to 104 lung transplant recipients. Lung function tests, levels of exhaled nitric oxide (FE NO ), need for antibiotic treatments and hospitalizations, creatinine clearance, body mass index (BMI) and demographic data were assessed. Additionally, the questionnaire of life satisfaction (FLZ), a question on summarized life satisfaction (LS), the life orientation test (LOT), the hospital anxiety depression scale (HADS) and the social support questionnaire (FSozU) were assessed.Response rate was 86%. Fifty-two percent defined themselves as pet owners, whereas 48% did not. The two groups did not differ in demographic or physiological data. Significant differences in FLZ (79/65, p = 0.04), in LS (4.3/3.9, p = 0.01), LOT (32/29, p = 0.006) and F-SozU (4.5/4.2, p = 0.04) were found in favor of pet owners. In lung transplant recipients keeping pets the frequency of somatic complications is not higher compared to lung transplant recipients without pets. After lung transplantation, pets are associated with a better quality of life.

Disseminated Infection With Bartonella henselae in a Lung Transplant Recipient

“…However, given that there is no known increased danger and the fact that keeping pets can improve one's quality of life, 15 we generally do not advise our patients against keeping a companion animal, being aware that this is a center-specific decision.…”

A Thematic Analysis of Quality of Life in Lung Transplant: The Existing Evidence and Implications for Future Directions

“…Psychosocial factors other than depression and anxiety have also been investigated . These included symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder , burden on relationships , adjustment to illness, feeling of responsibility to donors and caregivers , low self‐esteem , decreased sexual drive and perceived threat of risk of graft rejection .…”

“…Nine studies evaluated therapies or interventions. Six of these involved behavioral interventions . Four studies employed randomized designs (RCT; Refs.…”

“…A small RCT (reported in letter form) evaluated the impact of citalopram on HRQL . Nonrandomized, uncontrolled studies have also evaluated pulmonary rehabilitation , pet companionship and complementary and alternative medicine post‐LT.…”

Update on consultation–liaison psychiatry (psychosomatic medicine)

“…Thus, missed clinic visits or any evidence that tobacco use is occurring must be actively managed. One report found that owning a pet was associated with better lung-transplant outcome and no increase in medical complications [28]. It is the psychosomatic medicine specialist who can best work within a team for such assessment and postpulmonary transplant management and improve medical outcomes and quality of life in such recipients.…”