Abstract: Objective To conduct a longitudinal study on dynamic change of postoperative depression of lung transplant recipients and analyze its influencing factors, and to provide reference for clinical precision psychological nursing. Methods Using convenience sampling, lung transplant recipients admitted to a tertiary grade-A hospital in Guangzhou from October 2022 to December 2023 were selected as research subjects. Longitudinal surveys were conducted using a Self-designed General Information Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Modified Transplant Symptom Occurrence and Symptom Distress Scale (MTSOSD) on the day before discharge (T0), 3 months after operation (T1) and 6 months after operation (T2). Results A total of 62 patients completed all surveys at the three time points. The median score of depression at T0, T1 and T2 was 9.00 (4.00,14.00), 5.00(1.75,10.00) and 3.00 (0.00,9.00), respectively, showing a decreasing trend (Z=38.174, P<0.001).Linear mixed model analysis showed that increased age (β=0.012, P=0.043), prolonged postoperative hospital stay (β=0.006, P=0.025), and higher frequency and severity of symptoms (β=0.038, P<0.001) were risk factors for depression, and mild economic burden (β=-0.469, P=0.005) was a protective factor for depression. Conclusion Postoperative depression of lung transplant recipients shows a gradual decrease over time. Medical staff should focus on elderly recipients, recipients with low family income, and those accompanied by multiple symptoms. Timely personalized and precise psychological care are conducive to promoting their physical and mental rehabilitation.

Key words: lung transplant recipient, depression, influencing factor, longitudinal study