Post-traumatic stress as a determinant of quality of life in pediatric solid-organ transplant recipients

Holistic care and symptom management for pediatric kidney transplant recipients

While many aspects of life may improve substantially for children and young people undergoing kidney transplant, there may be new challenges including symptoms that can be detrimental to health-related quality of life. Addressing symptoms requires attention to patient and family perspectives and a holistic approach grounded in symptom management. The interdisciplinary pediatric nephrology transplant team should be attuned to the prevalence of common symptoms including fatigue, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, pain, and sleep disturbances, as well as poor body image and sexual health. These common symptoms require regular assessment with a focus on appropriate interventions and how care may be impacted by transplant status.

Evaluating a Telemedicine Video Game-Linked High-Intensity Interval Training Exercise Programme in Paediatric Heart Transplant Recipients

Paediatric heart transplant recipients (HTRs) have reduced exercise capacity, physical activity (PA), health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and self-efficacy towards PA. Exercise interventions have demonstrated improvements in exercise capacity and functional status in adult HTRs, with a specific emerging interest in the role of high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Studies of exercise interventions in paediatric HTRs have been limited and nonrandomized to date. HIIT has not yet been evaluated in paediatric HTRs. We thus seek to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a randomized crossover trial of a 12-week, home-based, video game-linked HIIT intervention using a cycle ergometer with telemedicine and remote physiological monitoring capabilities (MedBIKE) in paediatric HTRs. The secondary objective is to evaluate the impact of the intervention on (1) exercise capacity, (2) PA, (3) HRQoL and self-efficacy towards PA, and (4) sustained changes in secondary outcomes at 6 and 12 months after intervention. After a baseline assessment of the secondary outcomes, participants will be randomized to receive the MedBIKE intervention (12 weeks, 36 sessions) or usual care. After the intervention and a repeated assessment, all participants will cross over. Follow-up assessments will be administered at 6 and 12 months after the MedBIKE intervention. We anticipate that the MedBIKE intervention will be feasible and safely yield sustained improvements in exercise capacity, PA, HRQoL, and self-efficacy towards PA in paediatric HTRs. This study will serve as the foundation for a larger, multicentre randomized crossover trial and will help inform exercise rehabilitation programmes for paediatric HTRs.

Quality of life and psychosocial outcomes of adults who were pediatric solid organ transplant recipients: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The number of pediatric SOT recipients surviving into adulthood is increasing. Thus, understanding their psychosocial and QoL outcomes is important. We conducted a systematic review to collate existing literature examining QoL outcomes (physical functioning, psychological functioning, social functioning), as well as risk and protective factors associated with QoL, among adults who underwent SOT during childhood.

METHODS

A systematic search of five databases, from inception to January 6, 2021, was conducted to identify articles that reported on QoL outcomes for adults (≥18-year of age) who received a SOT during childhood (<19-year of age).

RESULTS

Twenty-five articles met inclusion criteria. Studies examined QoL across a range of SOT populations (liver, kidney, heart). QoL and psychosocial outcomes were variable; however, the majority of studies indicated QoL in this population to be similar to the general population, or at least similar to other chronic illness groups, with the exception of physical and social functioning. Factors related to a more optimal medical course, younger age at transplant and follow-up, and positive psychosocial functioning, were found to be predictive of better QoL outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

While several studies indicated QoL to be similar to the general population, the literature is limited in both quantity and quality. No study employed prospective, longitudinal methodologies to systematically evaluate QoL over time and few studies utilized normative-based measures of QoL. Furthermore, several SOT groups were under-represented in the literature (e.g., lung, intestine, multi-visceral). Nonetheless, findings have implications for intervention and clinical decision-making.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Post-Traumatic Growth following Kidney Transplantation

Background

Kidney transplantation (KT) is a life-saving therapy for kidney failure. However, KT recipients can suffer from debilitating depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicide. In contrast to PTSD, post-traumatic growth (PTG) is a positive psychologic change in response to a challenging situation. PTG has been studied in other chronic diseases, but less is known about its role in the setting of KT. We sought to elucidate the prevalence, predictors, and the effect of PTSD and PTG on post-KT outcomes. We also considered the roles of benefit finding and resilience.

Methods

In a literature review, we identified publications that examined PTSD, PTG, benefit finding, and/or resilience in KT recipients. We excluded case reports and first-person narratives. Publications meeting the specified criteria after full text review underwent data abstraction and descriptive analysis.

Results

Of the 1013 unique citations identified, 39 publications met our criteria. PTSD was the most common construct evaluated (16 publications). Resilience was studied in 11 publications, PTG in nine, and benefit finding in five. Up to 21% of adult and 42% of pediatric KT recipients may experience PTSD, which is associated with lower quality of life (QOL), impaired sleep, and other psychiatric comorbidity. PTG was associated with improved QOL, kidney function, and reduced risk of organ rejection. Although benefit finding tended to increase post KT, resilience remained stable post KT. Like PTG, resilience was associated with lower psychologic distress and increased treatment adherence and confidence in the health care team.

Conclusions

PTG, resilience, and benefit finding appear to reduce the risk of PTSD, promote well-being, and reduce risk of graft failure in KT recipients. Future research to understand these relationships better will allow clinicians and researchers to develop interventions to promote PTG, resilience, and benefit finding, and potentially improve post-transplant outcomes such as adherence and reducing risk of organ rejection.

The effect of perceived social support on the psychosocial status of parents whose child had liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to describe parental psychosocial outcomes following paediatric liver transplantation and the relationship between parental psychosocial outcomes and social support.

METHOD

This is a correlational, descriptive study conducted between April 2021 and October 2021 in the paediatric hepatology polyclinics of the liver transplantation institute of a university hospital. The SPSS 25 and AMOS 23 package programmes were used to perform data analyses.

RESULTS

Data analysis revealed that the parents' social support level was low (44.6 ± 14.8), while their levels of trait anxiety (51.5 ± 4.8) and loneliness (48.5 ± 5.4) were high, and their depression level was moderate (26.4 ± 5.8). Established structural equation modelling demonstrated that the social support parents received had a significant effect on their levels of loneliness (β = -0.88; p < 0.001), trait anxiety (β = -0.37; p < 0.001), and depression (β = -0.44; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The authors conclude that in parents of children who have had a liver transplant, increased levels of perceived social support result in decreased levels of anxiety, loneliness, and depression.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The authors recommend that healthcare professionals can contribute to reducing the anxiety, loneliness and depression in parents of paediatric liver transplant recipients by strengthening their social support systems.

Posttraumatic stress and medication adherence in pediatric transplant recipients

Adolescent transplant recipients may encounter a range of potentially traumatic events (PTEs) pre- and posttransplant, yet little is known about the relationship between posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and medication adherence in this population. In the present study, adolescent recipients and caregivers completed psychosocial questionnaires at enrollment. Outpatient tacrolimus trough level data were collected over 1 year to calculate the Medication Level Variability Index (MLVI), a measure of medication adherence. Nonadherence (MLVI ≥2) was identified in 34.8% of patients, and most (80.7%) reported ≥1 PTE exposure. Levels of PTSS indicating likely posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were endorsed by 9.2% of patients and 43.7% of caregivers. PTSS and MLVI were significantly correlated in the liver subgroup (r = .30, p = .04). Hierarchical multivariable linear regression analyses revealed overall patient PTSS were significantly associated with QoL (p < .001). PTEs are common in adolescent recipients; a minority may meet criteria for PTSD. PTSS screening to identify nonadherence risk requires further investigation and addressing PTSS may improve QoL. Caregivers appear at greater risk for PTSD and may require their own supports. The study was approved by each participating center's Institutional Review Board.

Associations between executive functioning, personality, and posttraumatic stress symptoms in adolescent solid organ transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Pediatric solid organ transplant recipients are susceptible to posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), given the presence of a life-threatening chronic medical condition and potential for complications. However, little is known about what individual characteristics are associated with an increased risk for PTSS among youth who received an organ transplant. The aim of the current study was to evaluate PTSS and its associations with executive functioning (EF) and personality (i.e., neuroticism and conscientiousness) among adolescents with solid organ transplants.

METHODS

Fifty-three adolescents (M_age  = 16.40, SD = 1.60) with a kidney, heart, or liver transplant completed self-report measures of PTSS and personality, whereas caregivers completed a caregiver-proxy report of adolescent EF.

RESULTS

Twenty-two percent of adolescent transplant recipients reported clinically significant levels of PTSS. Higher EF difficulties and neuroticism levels, and lower conscientiousness levels were significantly associated with higher PTSS (rs -.34 to .64). Simple slope analyses revealed that adolescents with both high EF impairment and high levels of neuroticism demonstrated the highest PTSS (t = 3.47; p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Most adolescent transplant recipients in the present study did not report clinically significant levels of PTSS; however, those with high neuroticism and greater EF difficulties may be particularly vulnerable to PTSS following organ transplantation. Following transplantation, medical providers should assess for PTSS and risk factors for developing PTSS. Identification of those at risk for PTSS is critical, given the strong associations between PTSS and certain medical outcomes (e.g., medication nonadherence) among these youth.

A scoping review of the experiences and well-being of siblings of children with chronic kidney disease: implications for practice and research

BACKGROUND

Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and their families deal with challenging circumstances. While numerous studies have shown that both patients and parents in these families can experience a variety of challenges and concerns, the experience of siblings is less well understood. The focus of this scoping review was on research addressing the experiences and well-being of siblings of children with CKD.

METHODS

Following scoping review methodology, five databases were searched for peer-reviewed research or graduate theses published in English that addressed the experience or well-being of siblings aged 25 years or younger (biological, step or foster) of children with CKD; studies from any year or location were included. Two independent coders identified relevant studies. Findings were summarized and synthesized.

RESULTS

Of the 2990 studies identified, 19 were chosen for full text review and eight fit the inclusion criteria. Five of the selected studies were qualitative, two were quantitative and one used mixed-methods. Four broad themes across studies were identified including family functioning, significant relationships, psychological well-being, and coping strategies. While there was some convergence between qualitative and quantitative findings, these linkages were weak.

CONCLUSIONS

Several unmet needs of siblings were uncovered by this review. Sibling perceptions of differential parental treatment and desire for information about CKD emerged as priorities for practice. Using a strength-based approach in order to better understand sibling experiences and well-being was also recommended for future research. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Posttraumatic Growth in Youth, Young Adults, and Caregivers Who Experienced Solid Organ Transplant

OBJECTIVE

To explore posttraumatic growth (PTG) in pediatric patients who have undergone solid organ transplant (SOT) and their caregivers, and to examine potential correlates of PTG.

METHOD

Youth and young adults with a history of SOT (heart, kidney, liver) at least 1 month prior to participation and caregivers completed measures of PTG, demographic, and medical factors. In total, 59 youth (M = 12.68 years, SD = 1.91), 21 young adults (M = 19.37, SD = 0.82), and 95 caregivers (M = 37.95 years, SD = 9.37) participated.

RESULTS

Overall, 67% of youth, 76% of young adults, and 89% of caregivers reported PTG within the medium to very high range. Appreciation of Life was the highest PTG subscale across all groups. Youth and caregiver PTG scores were significantly positively correlated. Religious affiliation and religious coping were positively associated with PTG for caregivers, and the relationship yielded large effect sizes for young adults. Caregivers of children with kidney transplants endorsed lower PTG than other organ types and caregivers of children who had an acute medical condition endorsed greater PTG than caregivers of children who had chronic illness.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest the pediatric SOT experience can yield positive changes such as a greater appreciation of life. Although small sample sizes may have led to reduced power for detecting significant findings for some analyses, results suggest religious, medical, and parent-child relationship factors are likely related to PTG in pediatric SOT and warrant future investigation.

Patient-Reported Outcomes in Children With Chronic Kidney Disease

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are quantitative assessments of a patient's perspective on their health and are derived directly from the patient, as opposed to clinician interpretation. PROs can serve as unique tools to improve health care providers' understanding of the patient's daily lived experience and highlight salient domains that are specific to children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). As such, PROs fill an important gap in achieving optimal health and well-being for children with CKD. However, several knowledge gaps remain in the implementation of PROs within both the clinical and research realms. This review provides a broad overview of PRO development, implementation for children with CKD, and highlights future directions and challenges.