Assessment of the Quality of Life in Patients After Liver Transplantation as an Important Part of Treatment Results

IntroductionOrgan transplantation for many patients with end-stage liver disease is a life-saving operation. Progressing at a time and usually irreversible damage to the organ directly leads to many life-threatening complications as well as to progressive deterioration in health and the quality of life (QOL). On the other hand, the assessment of QOL after liver transplantation, apart from the survival analysis, should take into account general health perception, physical activity, a place in the family and in the environment, as well as the patient's social and professional activity.Material and MethodsThe study group included 238 patients (128 women and 110 men) who underwent transplantation in various transplantation centers in Warsaw due to chronic and acute liver failure. To measure the QOL the author's questionnaire was used, which was made especially for this study.ResultsThere were no significant correlations found between the subjective QOL of the examined patients and socio-demographic and clinical variables, such as age, gender, education, marital status, occupational status, and time from the organ transplantation. However, a significant correlation was found between the perceived QOL of patients and the following variables: physical activity, pain and other symptoms, social and family life, sex life, and psycho-emotional state. It was also proved that the problems with maintaining a normal body weight after liver transplantation significantly affected the overall health of patients.ConclusionsLiver transplantation in the vast majority of patients, despite numerous complaints, facilitates functioning in various fields of life. On the other hand, the indicated discomfort in the area of mental and emotional health requires easier access to a psychologist. At the same time, there is a justified requirement for education and nutritional counselling for patients after liver transplantation because of the proven risk of occurrence of cardiovascular disease.