The lack of predictive value of preoperative psychologic distress for postoperative medical outcome in heart transplant recipients

J Heart Lung Transplant. 1991 Nov-Dec;10(6):942-7.

Abstract

This follow-up study of 58 heart recipients an average of 2 years after transplantation did not show that the Symptom Checklist 90R, a self-report measure of psychologic distress, predicted medical outcome. Mortality and medical morbidity (graft rejection and infection rate) were the outcome variables used. The findings tend to argue against the validity of some aspects of the psychiatric screening of transplant candidates if prediction of patients' ultimate risk of mortality or medical morbidity is the validation standard.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Transplantation / mortality*
  • Heart Transplantation / psychology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Morbidity
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology*
  • Postoperative Complications / psychology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Preoperative Care
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Stress, Psychological / complications*