The Transplant Evaluation Rating Scale (TERS): A Tool for the Psychosocial Evaluation of Lung Transplant Candidates

Objectives: An evaluation of psychosocial functioning prior to lung transplantation is advisable for anticipating behavioral difficulties and for screening for any psychological distress that might be harmful to posttransplantation outcomes and adjustment. Methods: In this cross-sectional, single-center study, the level of psychosocial functioning of N = 75 patients before lung transplantation was rated using the Transplant Evaluation Rating Scale (TERS). Results: The reliability of the TERS total score was satisfactory at alpha = 0.75. A two-factorial solution (emotional sensitivity; defiance) was found. Higher TERS scores were significantly associated with higher depressive and anxiety symptoms (r = .38/r = .42), lower quality of life (r = -.26), and fewer years abstinent from smoking (r = -.35). No associations were found with lung disease and symptom severity. Conclusions: The TERS appears to be a reliable and valid measure with clinical utility for specifying behavioral concerns prior to lung transplantation.