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Trajectories of anxiety and depression in liver transplant candidates during the waiting‐list period
Author(s) -
Annema Coby,
Roodbol Petrie F.,
Van den Heuvel Edwin R.,
Metselaar Herold J.,
Van Hoek Bart,
Porte Robert J.,
Ranchor Adelita V.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
british journal of health psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 2044-8287
pISSN - 1359-107X
DOI - 10.1111/bjhp.12241
Subject(s) - anxiety , depression (economics) , hospital anxiety and depression scale , psychological intervention , coping (psychology) , psychology , liver transplantation , logistic regression , clinical psychology , psychiatry , medicine , transplantation , economics , macroeconomics
Objectives To explore whether distinct trajectories of anxiety and depression exist among liver transplant candidates, and to gain insight into demographic, clinical, and individual characteristics related with these trajectories. Design A multicentre, prospective cohort study among 216 liver transplant candidates. Respondents filled out a questionnaire at study entrance and subsequently every 6 months until transplantation or removal from the waiting list. Methods Anxiety ( STAI 6), depression ( CES ‐D), demographic, and individual variables were assessed by questionnaire. Clinical variables were retrieved by medical record review. The SAS PROC TRAJ procedure was used to identify distinct trajectories. Univariate and multiple ordinal logistic regression analyses were used to explore related variables. Results Regarding anxiety, three stable trajectories were identified as follows: below clinical level (51%), slightly above clinical level (34%), and high above clinical level (15%). Regarding depression, four stable trajectories were identified as follows: below clinical level (23%), slightly below clinical level (34%), slightly above clinical level (28%), and high above clinical level (6%). For anxiety as well as for depression, experiencing more liver disease symptoms, a lower level of personal control, making more use of emotional coping, and making less use of task‐oriented coping increased the likelihood of membership in those trajectories with higher symptom levels. Conclusion Distinct, but stable, trajectories of anxiety and depression were present in liver transplant candidates. The trajectories with symptom levels above clinical relevant levels for anxiety or depression comprised, respectively, 49% and 34% of the respondents. Therefore, psychological screening and subsequently providing appropriate interventions are warranted early in the transplant process.Statement of contribution What is already known on this subjectFor transplant candidates, the waiting‐list period is a period of uncertainty and unpredictability. Psychological problems, such as anxiety and depression, are common among liver transplant candidates. Several demographic, clinical, and individual characteristics are associated with anxiety and depression, but these results remain inconclusive.What does this study addDistinct trajectories of symptoms of anxiety and depression are present among liver transplant candidates. Given the stability of the trajectories over time, the symptom level at baseline is indicative of the symptom level during the waiting‐list period. Experiencing more liver disease symptoms, low mastery, more use of emotional coping, and less use of task‐oriented coping are associated with trajectories of high symptom levels.