Veterans represent a lung transplant population with unique risk factors (e.g. combat-specific exposures, limited numbers of CF patients), comorbidities (e.g. PTSD, medications), and geographical constraints (leading to “hub-spoke” care-delivery approach) that may influence long-term outcomes. Clinical outcomes in lung transplant recipients transplanted within the VA system have not been reported, and it is unknown whether demographics are distinct between subjects transplanted in a highly unique integrated healthcare system such as the VA vs. routine community care. We are performing matched cohort studies to better understand how care-delivery systems (e.g. integrated care at the VA vs. community care) are related to lung transplant outcomes.
Funding: Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, University of Washington Department of Medicine