Long-term mental wellbeing of adolescents and young adults diagnosed with venous thromboembolism: results from a multistage mixed methods study

BACKGROUND: Critical and chronic illness in youth can lead to impaired mental well-being. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a potentially traumatic and life-threatening condition. Nonetheless, the long-term mental well-being of adolescents and young adults (AYAS) with VTE is unclear.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the long-term mental well-being of AYAS (13-33 years) diagnosed with VTE.

METHODS: We performed a multistage mixed method study based on data from the Danish nationwide health registries, and semi-structured interviews with 12 AYAS diagnosed with VTE. An integrated mixed methods interpretation of the findings was conducted through narrative weaving and joint displays.

RESULTS: The integrated mixed method interpretation showed that the mental well-being of AYAS with VTE had a chronic perspective, with a persistently higher risk of psychotropic drug purchase among AYAS with a first-time diagnosis of VTE compared with sex and age matched population controls and AYAS with fist-time diagnosis of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Impaired mental well-being was largely connected to fear of recurrence and concomitant uncertainty. Therefore, it was important for the long-term mental well-being to navigate uncertainty. Perceived health threat played a more profound role for the long-term mental well-being than disease severity, as the potential life-threat was the pivot which pointed back to the initial VTE and forward to the perception of future health-threat and the potential risk of dying of a recurrent event.

CONCLUSION: Our findings show that the long-term mental well-being of AYAS diagnosed with VTE is negatively impacted and highlights these patients' need for adequate support. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.