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Beckmann S, Künzler-Heule P, Kabut K, Mauthner O. The Main Thing is to be Alive-Exploring Patients' Experiences With Weight Gain After Liver Transplantation: A Qualitative Study. Transpl Int 2022; 35:10256. [PMID: 35497890 PMCID: PMC9046544 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2022.10256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Weight gain after liver transplantation (LTx) contributes to new-onset obesity. We explored patients’ experiences with gaining weight after LTx. Individual interviews were guided by open-ended questions. We analyzed transcripts with the reflexive thematic analysis approach by Braun and Clarke. The 12 participants gained 11.5 kg weight (median) over a median of 23 months after LTx. The constitutive theme “The main thing is to be alive” was a recurrent insight, captured in three facets: “The arduous path back to living” was the emotional expression of the ups and downs during a life-threatening illness to finally being grateful for the new life. “A pleasurable new phase of life” was the legitimation, reflecting the appreciation of gaining weight and returning to a healthy appearance. “I am allowed to look like this now” was the consoling facet after a time of burden due to the increased weight and frustration of being unsuccessful in losing weight. Finally, the awareness of being a LTx survivor outplayed the burden of the excess weight. Early interventions are crucial because the comforting insight “I am allowed to look like this now” may hinder further engagement in weight loss activities. Our recommendations on education and self-management support may guide clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Beckmann
- Nursing Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Center of Clinical Nursing Science, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patrizia Künzler-Heule
- Nursing Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland.,Department of Nursing, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Kajetan Kabut
- Zentrum für NeuroRehabilitation, Beatmungs- und Intensivmedizin, BDH-Klinik Elzach, Elzach, Germany
| | - Oliver Mauthner
- Nursing Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,University Department of Geriatric Medicine Felix Platter, Basel, Switzerland
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Tang J, Kerklaan J, Wong G, Howell M, Scholes-Robertson N, Guha C, Kelly A, Tong A. Perspectives of solid organ transplant recipients on medicine-taking: Systematic review of qualitative studies. Am J Transplant 2021; 21:3369-3387. [PMID: 33866675 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Medicine-taking among transplant recipients is a complex and ubiquitous task with significant impacts on outcomes. This study aimed to describe the perspectives and experiences of medicine-taking in adult solid organ transplant recipients. Electronic databases were searched to July 2020, and thematic synthesis was used to analyze the data. From 119 studies (n = 2901), we identified six themes: threats to identity and ambitions (impaired self-image, restricting goals and roles, loss of financial independence); navigating through uncertainty and distrust (lacking tangible/perceptible benefits, unprepared for side effects, isolation in decision-making); alleviating treatment burdens (establishing and mastering routines, counteracting side effects, preparing for the unexpected); gaining and seeking confidence (clarity with knowledge, reassurance through collective experiences, focusing on the future outlook); recalibrating to a new normal posttransplant (adjusting to ongoing dependence on medications, in both states of illness and health, unfulfilled expectations); and preserving graft survival (maintaining the ability to participate in life, avoiding rejection, enacting a social responsibility of giving back). Transplant recipients take medications to preserve graft function, but dependence on medications jeopardizes their sense of normality. Interventions supporting the adaptation to medicine-taking and addressing treatment burdens may improve patient satisfaction and capacities to take medications for improved outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Tang
- Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Kidney Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Jasmijn Kerklaan
- Centre for Kidney Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Academic Medical Center, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Germaine Wong
- Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Kidney Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Martin Howell
- Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Kidney Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicole Scholes-Robertson
- Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Kidney Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Chandana Guha
- Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Kidney Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Ayano Kelly
- Centre for Kidney Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Allison Tong
- Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Kidney Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia
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“You Can’t Manage What You Can’t Measure”: Perspectives of Transplant Recipients on Two Lifestyle Interventions for Weight Management. TRANSPLANTOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/transplantology2020020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous research suggests that effective lifestyle interventions for solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients must be tailored to address the unique life circumstances of this population. As few studies have investigated this design consideration, this study aimed to explore the perspectives and experiences of SOT recipients after completing a Group Lifestyle Balance™ [GLB]-based intervention incorporating either (a) standard population-based nutrition guidance or (b) nutrigenomics-based nutrition guidance. All active participants in the Nutrigenomics, Overweight/Obesity, and Weight Management-Transplant (NOW-Tx) pilot study were invited to participate. Data were collected through focus groups and individual interviews. Ninety-five percent (n = 18) of the NOW-Tx pilot study participants enrolled in the current study: 15 participated in 3 focus groups; 3 were interviewed individually. Three themes were common to both intervention groups: (1) the post-transplant experience; (2) beneficial program components; (3) suggestions for improvement. A unique theme was identified for the nutrigenomics-based intervention, comprising the sub-themes of intervention-specific advantages, challenges, and problem-solving. The readily available and adaptable GLB curriculum demonstrated both feasibility and acceptability and was aligned with participants’ needs and existing health self-management skills. The addition of nutrigenomics-based guidance to the GLB curriculum may enhance motivation for behaviour change in this patient population.
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