OBJECTIVE: To describe differences in lifestyle and health status across 5 post-transplant periods. METHODS: The sample consisted of 126 heart transplant recipients (87% men) grouped by time after transplantation: group 1, 12 to 24 months (n= 13); group 2, 25 to 48 months (n= 19); group 3, 49 to 72 months (n=24); group 4, 72 to 96 months (n=27); and group 5, > or =97 months (n=43). Data were obtained using demographic and health status evaluation forms and the Lifestyle Profile-II, which measures physical activity, nutrition, health responsibility, interpersonal relationships, stress management, and spiritual growth. RESULTS: Most often reported lifestyle attributes were spiritual growth and interpersonal relationships. Least often reported was physical activity. Pairwise comparisons revealed that groups 3 (chi2 = 16.4; SD = 4.8; P = .03) and 4 (chi2 = 16.6; SD= 5.8; P = .04) had lower physical activity than group 2 (chi2 = 21.3; SD = 5.2). Health status evaluation revealed that there were no group differences in systolic (P = .46) or diastolic (P = .77) blood pressure. Although creatinine was elevated, there were no group differences (P = .86). High-density lipoprotein was higher than 42 mg/dL in all groups, but there were differences across groups in low-density lipoprotein (P = .003). Groups 1 (chi2 = 139.2; SD = 38.5) and 2 (chi2 = 141.0; SD = 47.8) were different than group 5 (chi2 = 112.9; SD = 36.1; P = .05). There were group differences in cholesterol (P = .002), with lower levels in groups 4 (chi2 = 190.5; SD= 38.6) and 5 (chi2 = 186.3; SD = 37.7) as compared to group 2 (chi2 = 230.8; SD = 66.5). CONCLUSIONS: Identifying posttransplant periods in which healthy behaviors and health status may be vulnerable to decline is important for providing ongoing education and psychological support to transplant recipients who manage a complex regimen.
OBJECTIVE: To describe differences in lifestyle and health status across 5 post-transplant periods. METHODS: The sample consisted of 126 heart transplant recipients (87% men) grouped by time after transplantation: group 1, 12 to 24 months (n= 13); group 2, 25 to 48 months (n= 19); group 3, 49 to 72 months (n=24); group 4, 72 to 96 months (n=27); and group 5, > or =97 months (n=43). Data were obtained using demographic and health status evaluation forms and the Lifestyle Profile-II, which measures physical activity, nutrition, health responsibility, interpersonal relationships, stress management, and spiritual growth. RESULTS: Most often reported lifestyle attributes were spiritual growth and interpersonal relationships. Least often reported was physical activity. Pairwise comparisons revealed that groups 3 (chi2 = 16.4; SD = 4.8; P = .03) and 4 (chi2 = 16.6; SD= 5.8; P = .04) had lower physical activity than group 2 (chi2 = 21.3; SD = 5.2). Health status evaluation revealed that there were no group differences in systolic (P = .46) or diastolic (P = .77) blood pressure. Although creatinine was elevated, there were no group differences (P = .86). High-density lipoprotein was higher than 42 mg/dL in all groups, but there were differences across groups in low-density lipoprotein (P = .003). Groups 1 (chi2 = 139.2; SD = 38.5) and 2 (chi2 = 141.0; SD = 47.8) were different than group 5 (chi2 = 112.9; SD = 36.1; P = .05). There were group differences in cholesterol (P = .002), with lower levels in groups 4 (chi2 = 190.5; SD= 38.6) and 5 (chi2 = 186.3; SD = 37.7) as compared to group 2 (chi2 = 230.8; SD = 66.5). CONCLUSIONS: Identifying posttransplant periods in which healthy behaviors and health status may be vulnerable to decline is important for providing ongoing education and psychological support to transplant recipients who manage a complex regimen.