PURPOSE: Given the increasing waiting time for liver transplantation, and the amount of possible stressors associated with it, assessment of psychological well-being and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in these patients is warranted in order to optimize pretransplant care. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with chronic liver disease (n = 32) awaiting transplantation completed a series of questionnaires measuring HRQoL, depression, anxiety, coping, and self-efficacy. Comparisons were made with other patients with liver disease with and without cirrhosis, and a healthy norm population. Relationships among these psychological variables were explored and subgroup analyses were performed to assess possible differences in coping strategies. RESULTS: Compared to other patients with liver disease without cirrhosis, liver transplant candidates had statistically significantly lower HRQoL scores on the subscales of physical functioning (P < 0.001) and general health (P < 0.001). Their HRQoL did not differ from patients with liver disease with cirrhosis. Overall, patients awaiting liver transplantation had significantly reduced HRQoL (P < 0.001) and increased depression scores (P < 0.001) compared to healthy controls. Levels of depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, and coping did not differ between liver transplant candidates and other patients with liver disease. Depression correlated significantly with HRQoL. Patients without depression made significantly more use of active coping strategies than patients with elevated depression levels. CONCLUSIONS: Patients awaiting liver transplantation are not experiencing worse physical and psychological HRQoL than other liver patients with cirrhosis of the liver. Therefore, there is currently no indication to increase the level of psychosocial care for liver transplant candidates.
PURPOSE: Given the increasing waiting time for liver transplantation, and the amount of possible stressors associated with it, assessment of psychological well-being and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in these patients is warranted in order to optimize pretransplant care. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with chronic liver disease (n = 32) awaiting transplantation completed a series of questionnaires measuring HRQoL, depression, anxiety, coping, and self-efficacy. Comparisons were made with other patients with liver disease with and without cirrhosis, and a healthy norm population. Relationships among these psychological variables were explored and subgroup analyses were performed to assess possible differences in coping strategies. RESULTS: Compared to other patients with liver disease without cirrhosis, liver transplant candidates had statistically significantly lower HRQoL scores on the subscales of physical functioning (P < 0.001) and general health (P < 0.001). Their HRQoL did not differ from patients with liver disease with cirrhosis. Overall, patients awaiting liver transplantation had significantly reduced HRQoL (P < 0.001) and increased depression scores (P < 0.001) compared to healthy controls. Levels of depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, and coping did not differ between liver transplant candidates and other patients with liver disease. Depression correlated significantly with HRQoL. Patients without depression made significantly more use of active coping strategies than patients with elevated depression levels. CONCLUSIONS:Patients awaiting liver transplantation are not experiencing worse physical and psychological HRQoL than other liver patients with cirrhosis of the liver. Therefore, there is currently no indication to increase the level of psychosocial care for liver transplant candidates.
Authors: L Goetzmann; R Wagner-Huber; R Klaghofer; B Muellhaupt; P A Clavien; C Buddeberg; E Scheuer Journal: Transplant Proc Date: 2006-11 Impact factor: 1.066
Authors: M De Bona; P Ponton; M Ermani; R M Iemmolo; A Feltrin; P Boccagni; G Gerunda; R Naccarato; G Rupolo; P Burra Journal: J Hepatol Date: 2000-10 Impact factor: 25.083
Authors: R R Porter; L Krout; V Parks; S Gibbs; E S Luers; M T Nolan; S A Cupples; D Lepley; D A Givan; L Ohler Journal: J Heart Lung Transplant Date: 1994 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 10.247
Authors: Charmaine A Stewart; Felicity T B Enders; Mary M Mitchell; Donna Felmlee-Devine; Glenn E Smith Journal: Prim Care Companion CNS Disord Date: 2011
Authors: Katherine C Barboza; Lilian M Salinas; Farhad Sahebjam; Arun B Jesudian; Ilan L Weisberg; Samuel H Sigal Journal: Metab Brain Dis Date: 2016-03-31 Impact factor: 3.584