Observational Retrospective Study on Patient Lifestyle in the Pretransplantation and Post-transplantation Period in the Emilia-Romagna Region.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the well-known benefits of exercise during the pretransplantation and post-transplantation phases, adherence to active lifestyles is still reduced. The aim of the present study is to evaluate how many patients who have received organ transplants and candidates for organ transplantation carry out physical or sports activities in order to increase adherence to an active lifestyle. METHODS: The patients who agreed to participate in the study were interviewed about their lifestyle habits by the staff at the nephrology, dialysis, and hepatology units of the Emilia-Romagna region. The interview investigated the patient's lifestyle (active or sedentary) and type of physical activity (walking, cycling, gardening, gym at least 3 to 40 minutes, 2 to 3 times per week) or sport (training > 2 times per week) routinely practiced. RESULTS: We collected 1138 interviews from patients on the waiting list (n = 159) for organ transplant, those with kidney transplants (n = 756), and those with liver transplants (n = 223) monitored in the Emilia-Romagna hospitals (regional patients 67%, extraregional 33%). Eighty-four patients on the waiting list for a transplant (kidney) were sedentary, 75 practiced physical activity, and 10 of 75 physically active patients practiced sport. Four hundred fifteen patients with kidney transplants were sedentary, 341 practiced physical activity, and 31 of 341 physically active patients practiced sport. Among patients with liver transplants, 56 were sedentary, 167 practiced physical activity, and 20 of 167 physically active patients played sport. CONCLUSIONS: In-line with the general population, we confirmed a high tendency toward a sedentary lifestyle (44% of respondents) among patients with organ transplants and those on waiting lists for organ transplants. Including a prescription for physical exercise as part of the therapeutic regimen can be useful for changing lifestyles during the pre- and post-transplantation period.

The Potential Role of Schistosome-Associated Factors as Therapeutic Modulators of the Immune System.

The parasites and eggs of helminths, including schistosomes, are associated with factors that can modulate the nature and outcomes of host immune responses, particularly enhancing type 2 immunity and impairing the effects of type 1 and type 17 immunity. The main species of schistosomes that cause infection in humans are capable of generating a microenvironment that allows survival of the parasite by evasion of the immune response. Schistosome infections are associated with beneficial effects on chronic immune disorders, including allergies, autoimmune diseases, and alloimmune responses. Recently, there has been increasing research interest in the role of schistosomes in immunoregulation during human infection, and the mechanisms underlying these roles continue to be investigated. Further studies may identify potential opportunities to develop new treatments for immune disease. In this review, we provide an update on the advances in our understanding of schistosome-associated modulation of the cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems as well as the potential role of schistosome-associated factors as therapeutic modulators of immune disorders, including allergies, autoimmune diseases, and transplant immunopathology. We also discuss potential opportunities for targeting schistosome-induced immunoregulation for future translation to the clinical setting.

Disseminating Knowledge to Providers on Exercise Training After Solid Organ Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The objectives of our dissemination project were (1) to disseminate the evidence supporting exercise training in solid organ transplantation to exercise professionals, health-care professionals, physicians, and directors of transplant programs in order to enhance their ability to apply evidence to practice and (2) to build a community of exercise professionals and researchers across Canada. METHODS: We used the 5-step Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute model for knowledge translation to guide our project: (1) evidence assessment, (2) audience and partner identification, (3) dissemination, (4) implementation, and (5) evaluation. After meeting with experts in the field, conducting a literature review, and identifying an appropriate audience, we took our presentations on the road across Canada. RESULTS: We visited 10 transplant centers and held interactive knowledge translation sessions in each center. To provide sustainability and to facilitate the adoption of the research evidence, we founded the Canadian Network for Rehabilitation and Exercise for Solid Organ Transplant Optimal Recovery network and created its website. CONCLUSIONS: Our project raised awareness of the importance of exercise among many health professionals in Canada and built a community of exercise professionals and researchers in the field of transplantation through the rehabilitation network. It also led to the creation of online resources that will facilitate the implementation of rehabilitation programs in transplant centers.

Looking beyond the individual: How family demands and capabilities affect family adjustment following pediatric solid organ transplant.

INTRODUCTION: Better family adjustment following pediatric solid organ transplantation has been associated with a number of beneficial medical and psychosocial outcomes. Yet few studies have examined which pretransplant variables are associated with posttransplant family adjustment. This information can aid in identifying families that may need support going into the transplantation process and those who are at lower risk of worse posttransplant adjustment. METHOD: The sample included 66 parents of children with solid organ transplants and 22 children with solid organ transplants. Information regarding demographic factors, parent and child emotional functioning, and child social support was collected during the child's pretransplant evaluation and information on family adjustment was collected 6 months after transplantation. RESULTS: Results indicated that pretransplant demands such as worse parent and child emotional functioning were related to worse family adjustment 6 months after transplantation. Pretransplant capabilities (i.e., higher family income, parent education level, parent marital status, child social support) were not associated with posttransplant family adjustment. DISCUSSION: Pretransplant family demands such as parent and child emotional functioning, as opposed to family capabilities, should be assessed by family health care team members prior to transplantation because they may be related to worse family adjustment after the transplant. We offer recommendations for ways to assess and, if indicated, intervene upon pretransplant family demands in an effort to decrease the risk of worse posttransplant family adjustment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Promotion of Pre- and Post-Transplant Physical Exercise in the Emilia-Romagna Region: The Network of the Program "Transplantation, Physical Activity, and Sport".

BACKGROUND: Following the positive experience of the national project "A transplant...and now it's time for sport," the Transplant Reference Center of the Emilia-Romagna Region has pursued the promotion of pre- and post-transplant physical exercise by developing a network. METHODS: The path involved the transplant centers and operative units (UU.OO) who wanted to target transplant and waiting list patients, who are clinically stable, to perform personalized exercise through a program (supervised or not) prescribed by a specialist in sports medicine. With the collaboration of the Collective Prevention and Public Health Service, the network was established, consisting of the sports medicine centers and the gyms that promote health for adapted physical activity (PS-AMA). To implement the network, training courses for all the professionals involved (doctors, nurses, exercise specialists) and operational meetings in the transplant centers-nephrology units with patients' associations have been organized. RESULTS: To date, there are 14 transplant centers and UU.OO, 9 sports medicine centers, and 45 PS-AMA involved in this network. Seven training courses were organized with the participation of 193 health professionals. Since January 2016, there have been 65 transplanted patients and 5 patients on the waiting list who practice the prescribed exercise. Of these, 45 carry out supervised exercise in PS-AMA; 25 perform autonomous exercise. Each patient is monitored every 6 months. No problems related to the exercise performance were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: The development of a network of professionals and associations is the key element to raise awareness of physical activity among transplanted and waiting-for-transplant patients, reducing the pathologies associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

Predictors of Return to Work 12 Months After Solid Organ Transplantation: Results from the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study.

Background Return to work with or after a chronic disease is not a very well understood process, influenced by a variety of personal, professional, societal and medical factors. The aim of this study is to identify predictors for return to work 12 months after a solid organ transplant applying a bio-psycho-social model. Methods This study is based on patients included in the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study, a national prospective multicentre cohort, who underwent a first solid organ transplant (kidney, liver, heart, lung). Bio-psycho-social factors were tested and predictors of return to work identified using logistic regression models. Results Among the 636 patients included in the study, 49.8% (317) were employed 12 months post-transplant. The major predictor for returning to work 12 months posttransplant was pre-transplant employment status (OR 10.8). Accordingly, the population was stratified in employed and not employed pre-transplant groups. Age, self-perceived health (6 months post-transplant) and the transplanted organ were significantly associated with post-transplant employment status in both groups. Return to work was influenced by education, depression (6 month post-transplant) and waiting time in the employed pre-transplant group and by invalidity pension in the not employed pre-transplant group. Conclusion Employment status pre-transplant being highly associated with employment status post-transplant, the process promoting return to work should be started well before surgery. Biomedical, psychological and social factors must be taken into account to promote return to work in transplanted patients.

Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Exercise Training on Markers of Metabolic Syndrome in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: The markers of metabolic syndrome can prompt the development of metabolic syndrome and are associated with worse graft function among transplant recipients. Studies have shown that exercise might be effective in reducing incidence rate of metabolic syndrome components in nontransplant patients. However, there is no sufficient evidence to determine whether exercise training is safe or effective for markers of metabolic syndrome among solid organ transplant recipients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of exercise training programs for risk markers of metabolic syndrome and to further evaluate its long-term effects in solid organ transplant recipients. METHODS: We systematically reviewed all randomized trials comparing the outcomes of exercise training in organ transplant recipients. The Cochrane Library, Joanna Briggs Institute EBP Database, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, ProQuest Health & Medical Complete, and SinoMed databases were searched to June 2017. The meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3. RESULTS: In total, 13 eligible trails involving 464 patients were included. Recipients who engaged in an exercise program after transplantation showed significant reductions in fasting blood glucose, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and body mass index and a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein. But found no significant changes in new-onset diabetes, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein. CONCLUSION: Exercise training may be a promising intervention for markers of metabolic syndrome in transplant recipients. Further research is required to determine essential aspects of exercise according to organ transplantation type for effects on markers of metabolic syndrome.

Multivisceral Transplantation Rehabilitation Program-Case Report.

Multivisceral transplantation is the treatment for multiple abdominal organ failure. The patient experiences reduced food intake and absorption of nutrients, contributing to weight loss and decreased muscle mass, reducing functional capacity. A physical and nutritional rehabilitation program based on adequate caloric intake associated with supervised physical exercise seems to support a gain of muscle mass, re-establishing its capacity and functional independence. A rehabilitation program was carried out, consisting of low-intensity aerobic exercise on treadmill, exercises of global strengthening (50% of 1 maximum repetition [1RM], with progressive increase), and nutritional monitoring (oral hypercaloric diet, hyperproteic supplementation daily and after exercise). Initial and final evaluation included weight, muscle mass index, brachial circumference (BC), tricipital cutaneous fold (TCF), hand grip strength (HGS), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), 1RM, vital capacity (VC), and respiratory muscle strength. After the program, functional capacity was evaluated through the 6MWT (92%), 1RM test, VC (55%), respiratory muscle strength, HGS at 5 kg, weight gain (4.75%), increase of BC in 2 cm, and TCF in 2 mm. The program contributed to functional independence, improved quality of life, and social reintegration, suggesting the importance of a supervised physical activity program associated with adequate nutritional intake after multivisceral transplantation.

Epidemiologic Profile of Transplant Patients Treated by the Physiotherapy.

Transplant candidates have advanced chronic disease, which often leads to muscular and respiratory impairment contributing to reduced quality of life and daily life activities, and these patients are therefore referred to physiotherapy service. Because of this, it is necessary to know the epidemiologic and functional profile for a better physiotherapeutic approach. Inpatients of kidney, liver, heart, lung and multivisceral transplantation programs were followed up for 1 year. A comparative analysis between groups was performed, taking into account hospital stay time and functional independence measure (FIM). In all, 157 patients (88 post-transplant) were evaluated, with mean age of 54 years, and 99 were men. Prevalence of transplantation included liver: 87 (56%); kidney: 51 (32%); heart: 10 (6%); lung: 8 (5%); multivisceral: 1 (1%). The average length of hospital stay was 23 days for kidney patients, 19 days for lung patients, 18 days for heart patients, 15 days for liver patients, and the 15 days for multivisceral patients. The mean of FIM score was 94 for heart patients; 95 for liver patients, 96 for kidney patients, 99 for lung patients, and 120 for multivisceral patients. The highest incidence of hospitalization was of liver patients, although renal patients had a longer time of hospitalization. FIM score was higher at hospital discharge, if compared with the values at the moment of evaluation, but through the comparison of FIM previous with FIM final scores, the patients still presented functional limitation at the time of hospital discharge. Specific protocols for each transplant group, focused on the improvement of the functionality, are necessary.

Parents' perspectives on caring for children after solid organ transplant.

PURPOSE: To explore parents' experiences of the transition from hospital to home and complex chronic illness management following their children's solid organ transplant (SOT). DESIGN AND METHODS: Qualitative component of a larger mixed methods longitudinal study. Parents of SOT recipients were interviewed three times following hospital discharge from five major pediatric transplant hospitals in the United States. RESULTS: Analysis of parent interviews (N = 48) resulted in three themes that characterized the phases of transition to home and complex chronic illness care. Three themes, corresponding to the three time periods of data collection, included "getting back to normal" at 3 weeks, "becoming routine" at 3 months, and "facing a future" at 6 months. Challenges families experienced over the course of their transition are also described. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The transition from hospital to home and complex chronic condition care is challenging and changes over time. Nurses are called upon to prepare parents to become knowledgeable and confident to care for the child after hospital discharge. Nurses can best support families in transition after SOT by anticipating and understanding their dynamic challenging complex care needs.

Physical activity in solid organ transplant recipients: Participation, predictors, barriers, and facilitators.

BACKGROUND: Our objectives were to describe the physical activity (PA) levels, predictors, barriers, and facilitators to PA in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. METHODS: A web-based questionnaire was sent to members of the Canadian Transplant Association including the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), and questions regarding barriers and facilitators of PA. RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen SOT recipients completed the survey. The median PASE score was 164.5 (24.6-482.7). Re-transplantation was the only statistically significant predictor of levels of PA. The most common facilitators of PA included a feeling of health from activity (94%), motivation (88%), social support (76%), knowledge and confidence about exercise (74%) and physician recommendation (59%). Influential barriers were cost of fitness centers (42%), side effects post-transplant or from medications (41%), insufficient exercise guidelines (37%), and feelings of less strength post-transplant (37%). CONCLUSION: There is a large variation in PA levels among SOT recipients. Multiple factors may explain the variance in PA levels in SOT recipients. Identification of facilitators and barriers to PA can inform the development of health and educational promotion strategies to improve participation among SOT recipients with low activity levels.

Perceived Barriers to and Facilitators of Physical Activity in Recipients of Solid Organ Transplantation, a Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Sufficient physical activity is important for solid organ transplant recipients (heart, lung, liver, kidney). However, recipients do not meet the recommended amount or required type of physical activity. The perceived barriers to and facilitators of physical activity in this population are largely unknown. METHODS: Semi-structured in depth interviews were conducted with solid organ transplant recipients in order to explore experienced barriers and facilitators. Qualitative methodology with thematic line-by-line analysis was used for analysis, and derived themes were classified into personal and environmental factors. RESULTS: The most important indicated barriers were physical limitations, insufficient energy level, fear, and comorbidities. The most frequently mentioned facilitators included motivation, coping, consequences of (in)activity, routine/habit, goals/goal priority, and responsibility for the transplanted organ. Neutral factors acting as a barrier or facilitator were self-efficacy and expertise of personnel. A comparison of barriers and facilitators between transplant recipient groups yielded no overt differences. CONCLUSION: Several personal and environmental factors were indicated that should be considered in intervention development to increase physical activity behavior in solid organ transplant recipients.

[Management of older patients following solid organ transplantation]. / Management älterer Patienten nach Organtransplantation.

Due to a continuous expansion of transplantation registers, such as the old-for-old program in Europe, the number of older patients treated with transplantation is increasing. At the same time the perioperative survival rates show a clear increase even in this patient collective (older than 65 years); therefore, the probability that the care of older patients after organ transplantation will be undertaken in the routine practice increases. This article describes the medical characteristics of older patients following organ transplantation. Special emphasis is placed on the management of accompanying diseases as well as possible side effects and interactions of immunosuppressive therapy.

Bilateral Forearm Transplantation in Mexico: 2-Year Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Patients with proximal forearm and arm transplantation have obtained and/or maintained function of the elbow joint and full active range of motion of the extrinsic muscles of the hand, but with diminished protective sensibility and a lack of good function of the intrinsic muscles. These patients have improved function, as measured by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire. METHODS: We report the case of a 52-year-old man who suffered a high-voltage electrical burn requiring amputation of his upper limbs. He underwent bilateral proximal forearm transplantation in Mexico City in May 2012. RESULTS: At 2-year follow-up, immunosuppressive treatment has not led to metabolic, oncologic, or infectious complications. Keloid scars developed at the graft-recipient interface. There have been 4 acute rejections: the fourth was treated with methylprednisolone, rituximab, and immunoglobulin. Chronic rejection has not been detected. The extrinsic muscles of the wrist and digits have good function. Although the intrinsic muscles demonstrated electrical activity 15 months postoperatively, clinically, they are nonuseful. After 2 years, hand function is sufficient to allow the patient to grasp lightweight and medium-sized objects. The patient's Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire score improved from 50.00 points to 30.83 points, and his Hand Transplantation Score System rating is good, at 69/73 (right/left) of 100. The patient and his family are very satisfied with the functional and aesthetic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Upper arm or proximal forearm transplantation is a reconstructive option for patients who have experienced amputation because of trauma.