The Association Between Patient-Level Factors and Physical Function in Lung Transplant Recipients

Despite the dramatic improvement in pulmonary function after lung transplantation, lung transplant recipients often have reduced physical function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between physical function and a wide range of patient-level factors among lung transplant recipients to allow researchers and healthcare providers to identify and better understand contributors to poor physical function.

A cross-sectional study of lung transplant recipients enrolled in Lung Transplant Go (LTGO), a randomized, controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of a telerehabilitation behavioral exercise intervention on physical function. Data were collected at the time of study enrollment for physical function using 30-second sit-to-stand test (STS-30), and patient-level factors: discharge destination, time since transplant, hospital length of stay, participation in exercise program outside the study, comorbidities, psychological distress, and symptoms. Regression analysis was performed to identify the association between physical function and patient-level factors.

A total of 72 lung transplant recipients with a mean age of 56 (13), 58% male, and 88% white, completed the STS-30. The bivariate analysis identified factors associated with STS-30, which are age, marital status, time since transplant, Questionnaire for Lung Transplant Patients' activity intolerance subscale, and psychological distress. Factors significantly predicted STS-30 using the regression analysis were age, time since transplant, and psychological distress (p< 0.05).

Age, time since lung transplantation, and psychological distress significantly predicted poor physical function. Interventions to prevent poor physical function post-lung transplantation should consider these factors. Research is needed to better understand patient-level factors on other physical function measures.