Identifying Improved and Non-improved Aspects of Health-related Quality of Life After Liver Transplantation Based on the Assessment of the Specific Questionnaire Liver Disease Quality of Life

Abstract

IntroductionThe specific questionnaire Liver Disease Quality of Life (LDQOL) is a valid tool for measuring quality of life (QOL) and has been used to show that liver transplantation (LT), which is an effective treatment for end-stage liver disease, may improve QOL. ObjectivesThis study aims to identify aspects of QOL that improve after LT and those that do not. Patients and MethodsPatients accepted for LT were invited to answer the LDQOL at baseline and after transplantation at 6 and 12 months. LDQOL contains the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and 12 specific dimensions. Responsiveness was assessed using the paired Student t test. ResultsThe study included a cohort of 156 patients, 73% males, of an average age of 53 (26–67) years, with the following common indications: tumor (35%), hepatitis C (23%), and alcohol-related (21%) liver disease. Mean scores showed a statistically significant (P < .05) improvement after 1 year in 6 of 8 SF-36 dimensions, in the physical component summary score, and in 7 of 12 disease-specific dimensions. The two dimensions that showed no improvement in the SF-36 dimensions were “social functioning” and “vitality,” whereas the specific dimensions to not improve were “sleep problems,” “social interaction,” “activities of daily living,” and “concerns about the future.” ConclusionFindings suggest that perceived QOL after LT improves but could be further enhanced with the use of specific programs for amending sleep disorders and physical aspects.