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Liver transplantation and quality of life: relevance of a specific liver disease questionnaire
Author(s) -
Gotardo Daniela R. M.,
Strauss Edna,
Teixeira MariaCristina D.,
Machado Marcel C. C.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2007.01606.x
Subject(s) - medicine , liver transplantation , cirrhosis , liver disease , quality of life (healthcare) , transplantation , gastroenterology , disease , model for end stage liver disease , distress , clinical psychology , nursing
Aim: A positive effect of liver transplantation on health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) has been well documented in previous studies using generic instruments. Our aim was to re‐evaluate different aspects of HRQOL before and after liver transplantation with a relatively new questionnaire the ‘liver disease quality of life’ (LDQOL). Methods: The LDQOL and the Short Form 36 (SF‐36) questionnaires were applied to ambulatory patients, either in the transplant list ( n =65) or after 6 months to 5 years of liver transplant ( n =61). The aetiology of cirrhosis, comorbidities, model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) Child–Pugh scores and recurrence of liver disease after liver transplantation were analysed using the Mann–Whitney and Kruskall–Wallis tests. Results: In patients awaiting liver transplantation, MELD scores ≥15 and Child–Pugh class C showed statistically significant worse HRQOL, using both the SF‐36 and the LDQOL questionnaires. HRQOL in pretransplant patients was found to be significantly worse in those with cirrhosis owing to hepatitis C ( n =30) when compared with other aetiologies ( n =35) in 2/7 domains of the SF‐36 and in 7/12 domains of the LDQOL. Significant deterioration of HRQOL after recurrence of hepatitis C post‐transplant was detected with the LDQOL questionnaire although not demonstrated with the SF‐36. The statistically significant differences were in the LDQOL domains: symptoms of liver disease, concentration, memory and health distress. Conclusions: The LDQOL, a specific instrument for measuring HRQOL, has shown a greater accuracy in relation to liver symptoms and could demonstrate, with better reliability, impairments before and after liver transplantation.