Open AccessHealth‐related quality of life, uncertainty and coping strategies in solid organ transplant recipients during shielding for the COVID‐19 pandemic
Author(s) -
McKay Siobhan C.,
Lembach Hanns,
Hann Angus,
Okoth Kelvin,
Anderton Joy,
Nirantharakumar Krishnarajah,
Magill Laura,
Torlinska Barbara,
Armstrong Matthew,
Mascaro Jorge,
Inston Nicholas,
Pinkney Thomas,
Ranasinghe Aaron,
Borrows Richard,
Ferguson James,
Isaac John,
Calvert Melanie,
Perera M. Thamara P. R.,
Hartog Hermien
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
transplant international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.998
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1432-2277
pISSN - 0934-0874
DOI - 10.1111/tri.14010
Subject(s) - medicine , coping (psychology) , avoidance coping , pandemic , mental health , health care , cross sectional study , clinical psychology , covid-19 , gerontology , disease , psychiatry , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pathology , economics , economic growth
Summary Strict isolation of vulnerable individuals has been a strategy implemented by authorities to protect people from COVID‐19. Our objective was to investigate health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), uncertainty and coping behaviours in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients during the COVID‐19 pandemic. A cross‐sectional survey of adult SOT recipients undergoing follow‐up at our institution was performed. Perceived health status, uncertainty and coping strategies were assessed using the EQ‐5D‐5L, Short‐form Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale (SF‐MUIS) and Brief Cope, respectively. Interactions with COVID‐19 risk perception, access to health care, demographic and clinical variables were assessed. The survey was completed by 826 of 3839 (21.5%) invited participants. Overall, low levels of uncertainty in illness were reported, and acceptance was the major coping strategy (92%). Coping by acceptance, feeling protected, self‐perceived susceptibility to COVID‐19 were associated with lower levels of uncertainty. Health status index scores were significantly lower for those with mental health illness, compromised access to health care, a perceived high risk of severe COVID‐19 infection and higher levels of uncertainty. A history of mental health illness, risk perceptions, restricted healthcare access, uncertainty and coping strategies was associated with poorer HRQoL in SOT recipients during strict isolation. These findings may allow identification of strategies to improve HRQoL in SOT recipients during the pandemic.