2 research outputs found
Generalized and specific anxiety in adolescents following heart transplant
Mental health concerns are associated with worse outcomes after adult heart transplant. Illnessâspecific anxiety is associated with worsened psychological wellâbeing after other solid organ transplants but has never been characterized after pediatric heart transplant. This singleâcenter crossâsectional study aimed to evaluate illnessâspecific and generalized anxiety after heart transplantation in adolescents. A novel 12âitem PHTF, GADâ7, and the PedsQL were administered. Univariate associations of demographics, clinical features, and medication adherence as measured by immunosuppression standard deviation with the PHTF and GADâ7 scores were evaluated. Internal consistency and validity of the PHTF were examined. In total, 30 patients participated. The most common illnessâspecific fears were retransplantation, rejection, and more generally postâtransplant complications. The PHTF had good internal consistency (Cronbach α = .88). Construct validity was demonstrated between PHTF and GADâ7 (r = .62) and PedsQL (r = â.54 to â.62). 23% endorsed moderate to severe generalized anxiety symptoms. More severe symptoms were associated with older age at survey (P = .03), older age at listing (P = .01) and having postâtransplant complications (P = .004). Patients with moderate or severe symptoms were more likely to report late immunosuppression doses (P = .004). Illnessâspecific and generalized anxiety may be prevalent after pediatric heart transplant. Screening for anxiety in adolescents postâtransplant may identify those at risk for adverse outcomes including nonâadherence. The PHTF is a brief, valid, and reliable instrument identifying illnessâspecific anxiety in this population.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153669/1/petr13647.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153669/2/petr13647_am.pd