Prevalence and Management of Gastrointestinal Complications in Lung Transplant Patients: MITOS Study Group

Abstract Introduction No studies have yet been performed to evaluate the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) complications in solid organ transplant recipients in Spain. Materials and methods An observational, cross-sectional study to evaluate the prevalence and management of GI complications in transplanted patients was conducted via a written questionnaire given to doctors at their practice. Results A total of 58 lung transplant recipients were included. Their mean age was 52.6 ± 10.8 years; 65% of the patients were men; and the mean time since the transplant was 2.1 ± 2.3 years. GI complications were seen in 48.6% of the lung transplant patients. Regarding the management, the most frequently used measure was the prescription of gastric protectors (70.5%). In seven patients, the immunosuppressive treatment was also modified (reduced, discontinued temporarily, or discontinued permanently); however, the figure is so low that no conclusions can be drawn from this result. Conclusions The prevalence of GI complications in lung transplant was over 50%, and these complications affected patients’ daily activities in most cases. In lung transplant recipients, there was a higher prevalence of nausea and abdominal pain and a lower of diarrhea and dyspepsia than what was observed in other type of transplant recipients.