Involvement in Health Behavior After Heart Transplantation: The Role of Personal Resources and Health Status. Single-Center Observational Study

Immunosuppressant adherence after heart transplantation: a review on detection, prevention, and intervention strategies in a multidisciplinary

Heart transplantation is an effective treatment for end-stage heart disease, and postoperative patients' medication adherence is crucial for transplantation outcomes and long-term survival. By reviewing a large amount of related literature, this review summarizes the current status, evaluation methods, influencing factors, and intervention strategies of medication adherence after heart transplantation, emphasizes the important role of multidisciplinary teams in improving medication adherence, and discusses the importance of transplantation multidisciplinary teams and holistic management. By integrating the research results from various fields such as medicine, pharmacy, psychology, and sociology, it provides a more comprehensive theoretical support and practical guidance for improving medication adherence in heart transplant patients.

Evaluating the Relationship Between Medication Adherence, Dietary Practices, and Physical Activity in Heart Transplant Recipients

INTRODUCTION

Medication adherence is critical to improve quality of life, reduce transplant-related complications, and increase survival. Nonadherent health behaviors after heart transplantation lead to increased morbidity and mortality, decreased quality of life, increased medical costs, and overuse of healthcare services in heart transplant patients (HTR). This study examined the relationship between heart transplant recipients' medication adherence, dietary practices, and physical activity.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted at a university hospital's Heart and Lung Transplant Outpatient Clinic. The sample included adult HTR who had undergone transplantation at least 6 months prior. Data were collected using the Basel Assessment of Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medication Scale, a Nutritional Behaviors Questionnaire, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form Statistical analyses using SPSS 24.0, with significance set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Among 70 participants, 42.85% were non-adherent to immunosuppressive medications. Factors influencing adherence included age and time since transplantation. Dietary assessments revealed that while most patients practiced washing fruits and vegetables, adherence to other food safety measures was low. Physical activity levels indicated that 50% of participants were physically inactive, with high body mass index significantly correlating with lower activity levels. Patients with medication adherence had higher physical activity levels.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights the critical need for targeted interventions to improve medication adherence, dietary practices, and physical activity among HTR. Addressing these factors is essential for enhancing patient outcomes, reducing morbidity and mortality, and improving quality of life posttransplant. Further research is warranted to explore the barriers and facilitators influencing these health behaviors in diverse populations.

Examining the Relationship Between Healthy Life Awareness and Psychological Well-Being in Liver Transplantation Patients: A Structural Equation Model

This study aimed to evaluate the mediating role of healthy life awareness in the relationship between the sociodemographic characteristics and psychological well-being of liver transplant patients. The sample of the study consisted of 202 patients aged between 18 and 69 years who underwent liver transplantation surgery at a hospital in Turkey. The data were collected using a sociodemographic information form, the "Healthy Life Awareness Scale" and the "Psychological Well-Being Scale." Healthy life awareness directly predicted psychological well-being (β: 0.68, p < 0.01). Education positively predicted psychological well-being both directly (β: 0.14, p < 0.05) and indirectly through healthy life awareness (β: 0.76, p < 0.05). Age indirectly predicted healthy life awareness and psychological well-being through employment status and education. The income level positively predicted healthy life awareness (β: 0.14, p < 0.05), whereas gender (male) negatively predicted healthy life awareness (β: -0.22, p < 0.01). Healthy life awareness was a significant predictor of psychological well-being. The results of this study may offer valuable information for healthcare providers to tailor interventions that also support mental and emotional health, which is critical to the long-term success of transplant outcomes.

Biopsychosocial Effects of Donor Traits on Heart Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND Psychological function after transplantation has garnered increased attention, and the relationship between recipients and corresponding donors has been investigated in medical research. Here, we investigated potential qualitative and quantitative psychological and lifestyle changes among recipients after heart transplantation and their correlation with donors. MATERIAL AND METHODS Transplant recipients, their families, and the donor's families were interviewed. The interview was semi-structured, featuring open-ended questions related to 5 domains: preference, emotions and temperament, memory, self-identity, and social identity. Qualitative data were analyzed by triangulation and deductive content analysis. Quantitative data were collected using the Big Five Inventory-19 (BFI-19) questionnaire, to complement the domain of emotions and temperament. RESULTS Overall, 20 recipients, 15 recipients' families, and 13 corresponding donors' families were interviewed (5 recipients' families and 7 donors' families refused to participate) between October 2020 and July 2021. The data were matched to 13 groups, each including at least 1 recipient and the corresponding donor. Finally, 13 recipients, 9 corresponding recipients' families, and 13 corresponding donors' families were identified. Similarities between recipients' psychological and lifestyle changes and the corresponding donors' traits were primarily identified in the aspects of diet, emotions and temperament, and special experiences other than dreams. The BFI-19 data showed no significant correlations between recipients and the corresponding donors' families. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate significant psychological and lifestyle changes in recipients before and after heart transplantation, with 38% exhibiting characteristics partly similar to those of their donors. Further investigation is needed to explore the psychobiological correlation between recipients and donors.

Health Locus of Control and Physical Activity in Liver Transplant Recipients

INTRODUCTION

Health locus of control has the potential to influence health behavior among individuals with chronic diseases. However, little is known regarding the relationship between locus of control and physical activity in transplant recipients. The aim of the study was to investigate health locus of control and physical activity in liver transplant recipients.

METHODS

Seventy-six liver transplant recipients were enrolled. The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control - Form C, including internal, chance, doctors, and powerful others subdimensions, was used to evaluate the health locus of control. Physical activity was assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form.

RESULTS

The median internal health locus of control score was 28.54. Thirty-six participants had low, 35 participants had moderate, and five participants had high physical activity. Internal health locus of control was higher in patients having moderate activity compared to patients with low activity (p=0.04). "Doctors" subdimension of health locus of control was negatively correlated with walking (r=-0.38, p=0.02) and total activity scores among patients with low activity (r=-0.37, p=0.02).

CONCLUSION

Liver transplant recipients with moderate activity present higher internal health locus of control scores, suggesting a possible influence of physically active behavior on the beliefs of one's own control over disease management. As the activity level increases, the belief that health outcomes are largely the responsibility of health professionals decreases among liver transplant recipients with low activity. Promoting physical activity will help develop the control of one's own actions on health after liver transplantation.

Personal Resources and Expectations and Health Behaviors Among Solid Organ Transplant Recipients-A Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

The long-term success of organ transplantation (Tx) depends on the transplant recipient's ability to self-manage symptoms, treatment, lifestyle changes, and psychosocial consequences. Health behavior (HB) determinants include personality traits such as optimism, self-efficacy, and health locus of control.

PURPOSE

Assessing the relationship between personal resources and expectations and health behaviors of organ transplant recipients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted between 01/04/2018 and 30/10/2019 at 3 transplant centers in Poland. The study group consisted of 243 Tx recipients of kidney, heart, liver, and lung. The Health Behavior Inventory, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC), General Self-Efficacy Scale, Dispositional Optimism Scale, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used to collect data.

FINDINGS

The study group had medium levels of dispositional optimism (mean 15) and high levels of self-efficacy (mean 30.18). The MHLC scale was dominated by a belief in the influence of others and an internal locus of control over one's health. The respondents presented a high level of HB (mean 92.09). A positive relationship was found between personal resources (self-efficacy and optimism), MHLC and HB. The presence of depression and anxiety negatively affected personal resources and internal locus of health control and HB in terms of a positive mental attitude. Type of Tx differentiated internal locus of health control and HB. Predictors of HB were dispositional optimism, self-efficacy, influence of others with health locus of control, symptoms of depression, age and time since transplantation-explaining between 6.1% and 14.5% of health behavior categories.

CONCLUSIONS

To improve health practices among organ recipients, strengthening their personal resources is recommended. It is necessary to form an internal locus of control for adherence to positive HB.