Mental health and health-related quality of life in a contemporary cohort of liver transplant survivors: the 'PROMIS' of liver transplant.

The contemporary characteristics of mental health disorders (MHDs) among liver transplant (LT) survivors are not well understood. We aimed to describe the prevalence of post-LT anxiety, depression or post-traumatic (PTS) diagnoses and symptoms before and after LT and explore their association with post-LT health-related quality of life (HRQOL). In a cross-sectional study, participants presenting for post-LT care completed surveys measuring HRQOL (PROMIS-29), anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) and PTS (Impact of Event Scale-Revised, IES-R). Participants self-reported sociodemographics and a history of MHD diagnoses and treatment and clinical data on transplant course and prior MHDs and treatment were collected. Overall, 202 patients [58% male, 89% white, median age 63 years (IQR: 54-69)] consented to participate. Median time from LT was 4.4 years (IQR: 1.4-10.0). The prevalence of anxiety or depression after LT was 30% and PTS was 7%. There was a significant difference in HRQOL in those 5+ years vs. 0-1 years post-LT (MCS scores: 49.5 ± 8.8 vs. 45.8 ± 9.3, p = 0.03 and PCS scores: 44.7 ± 9.2 vs. 40.6 ± 8.8, p = 0.02). Active symptoms of anxiety, depression or PTS after LT were noted in 25.6% LT survivors; of these, 55% patients did not have a mental health diagnosis at the time of transplant. Active symptoms of anxiety, depression or PTS after transplant were associated with significantly worse HRQOL across multiple domains after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical variables. Anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress are common in LT survivors and associated with poor HRQOL. MHDs represent modifiable factors to improve patient-reported outcomes in LT survivors, including in patients without MHDs at the time of transplant.
Mental Health
Care/Management

Authors

Scherer Scherer, Bhatti Bhatti, Parvataneni Parvataneni, Tang Tang, Stovall Stovall, Holmes Holmes, Patel Patel, Orman Orman, Nephew Nephew, Ghabril Ghabril, Kubal Kubal, Chalasani Chalasani, Desai Desai
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