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Pretransplant variables associated with quality of life in liver transplant recipients
Author(s) -
Saab Sammy,
Ibrahim Ayman B.,
Surti Bijal,
Durazo Francisco,
Han Steven,
Yersiz Hasan,
Farmer Douglas G.,
Ghobrial R. Mark,
Goldstein Leonard I.,
Tong Myron J.,
Busuttil Ronald W.
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.1478-3231.2008.01831.x
Subject(s) - medicine , ascites , hepatocellular carcinoma , viral hepatitis , psychosocial , quality of life (healthcare) , vitality , hepatic encephalopathy , liver transplantation , psychological intervention , mental health , hepatitis c , gastroenterology , cirrhosis , transplantation , psychiatry , philosophy , nursing , theology
Objective: With an increasing number of liver transplant recipients living, understanding quality‐of‐life issues is essential. Our goal is to identify pretransplant variables associated with post‐transplant quality of life in liver transplant recipients. Methods: Three hundred and eight liver transplant recipients were administered the Short Form 36 and a basic demographical questionnaire. Variables associated with post‐transplant quality of life were studied in a multivariate regression analysis. Interaction terms were used to examine effect modification. Results: Male gender, longer pretransplant work hours and interaction term between work hours and male gender were independently associated with Physical Functioning. Work hours positively correlated with Role‐Physical, while viral hepatitis and ascites were negatively associated with Role‐Physical. Ascites and viral hepatitis were independently negatively associated with Bodily Pain. Encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma and viral hepatitis were independently associated with General Health. Ascites was also negatively associated with Social Functioning, Role‐Emotional, Bodily Pain, General Health and Vitality. Viral hepatitis was negatively correlated with Vitality and Mental Functioning. Conclusions: Pretransplant variables such as ascites, encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma, viral hepatitis, work hours, time unable to work and gender were significantly associated with post‐transplant quality of life in liver transplant recipients. Interventions addressing these issues may be initiated to improve the post‐transplant quality of life.