Human Animal Bonds Create Better Physical Activities in Lung Transplant Patients – A Cross-Sectional Analysis of 517 Cases - Abstract
Background: Companion animals may have a positive impact on physical activities and on quality of life (QoL) in individuals. However, many lung transplant (LTx) patients are advised against them due to the risk of zoonotic infections.
Methods: A single-center survey of 591 patients (response rate 87.0%) asked about current human animal bonds any time after LTx. Subgroups with, versus without, companion animals were compared regarding general QoL, physical activity levels, and clinical outcome parameters (FEV1, rejection, BOS, hospitalization).
Results: Within a sample of 517 LTx patients, 25.1% (95% CI 21.7-29.2%) reported on having companion animals in their households. The majority reported to have dogs (n=84) or cats (n=38). Those caring for a companion animal were median 4.2 years post-transplant and more likely to engage in regular physical activities (OR 2.04; p=0.02; 95% CI 0.11-37.2), and to live in a family relationship (OR 1.62; p=0.004; 95% CI 1.45-1.89). Patients having companion animals did not differ in regard to clinical outcome, FEV1 (p=0.73),
rejection (p=0.22), BOS (p=0.12), and hospitalization (p=0.81), compared to those without companion animals.
Conclusions: Our findings indicate that some patients after LTx have companion animals in their households. Careful management of companion animals in selected patients might alleviate the risk of zoonotic diseases, and might have a positive benefit on patients’ physical activity levels.