Health-Related Quality of Life of Liver Transplant Recipients: A Single Center Experience

Abstract

To evaluate the health related quality of life (HRQOL) of liver transplant recipients and to identify risk factors influencing post-operative HRQOL. Adult patients who underwent primary liver transplantation from 2009 to 2010 were asked to complete a HRQOL survey at pre-operation and one year postoperatively. We compared the HRQOL of liver transplant recipients at pre-transplantation and one year postoperatively to the general population. Pre-transplant variables were analyzed to identify the risk factors influencing postoperative HRQOL. Pre-transplant HRQOL was significantly lower than that of the general population and significantly improved at one year postoperatively. Multivariate analyses suggested hepatocellular carcinoma, pre-transplant hypertension and high model for end-stage liver disease score were independent risk factors for postoperative physical component summary (PCS); and higher education level, marital status and lower income level negatively impacted on the postoperative mental component summary (MCS). Factors influencing postoperative HRQOL were identified in the present study. Transplant centers should pay more attention to patients with above-mentioned risk factors and strive to improve the HRQOL.