Abstract
Undergoing a liver transplant is a stressful and major life event. A significant part of the Dutch liver transplant patients experience, therefore, psychological problems such as symptoms of anxiety, depression, or posttraumatic stress (PTS), both before and after the transplant.
A prospective study among 260 patients of all Dutch liver transplant centers, shows that of the waiting-list patients 49% experience symptoms of anxiety, 34% depressive symptoms, and 32% symptoms of PTS. Patients who once show symptoms of anxiety or depression remain anxious or depressed throughout the waiting-list period. Although the transplant has a beneficial effect on the psychological functioning of liver transplant recipients, a significant part show persistent symptoms (23% anxiety, 29% depression, 15% PTS) in the first two years after the transplant. These patients also report poorer results regarding medication adherence and quality of life.
Besides this, a cross-sectional study among 281 patients who underwent a liver transplant at the University Medical Center Groningen between 1979 and 2009, shows that psychological problems are also present in the long-term after transplantation. Over 35% of the patients who had been transplanted longer than 10 years ago reported psychological problems, in particular anxiety (33%) and depression (23%).
Important risk factors associated with psychological problems are individual factors, such as sense of control and coping style, and transplant-related factors, such as severity of liver disease symptoms and side-effects of the immunosuppressive medication.
Our results emphasize the importance of psychosocial screening and support in the care of liver transplant patients throughout the transplant process.
A prospective study among 260 patients of all Dutch liver transplant centers, shows that of the waiting-list patients 49% experience symptoms of anxiety, 34% depressive symptoms, and 32% symptoms of PTS. Patients who once show symptoms of anxiety or depression remain anxious or depressed throughout the waiting-list period. Although the transplant has a beneficial effect on the psychological functioning of liver transplant recipients, a significant part show persistent symptoms (23% anxiety, 29% depression, 15% PTS) in the first two years after the transplant. These patients also report poorer results regarding medication adherence and quality of life.
Besides this, a cross-sectional study among 281 patients who underwent a liver transplant at the University Medical Center Groningen between 1979 and 2009, shows that psychological problems are also present in the long-term after transplantation. Over 35% of the patients who had been transplanted longer than 10 years ago reported psychological problems, in particular anxiety (33%) and depression (23%).
Important risk factors associated with psychological problems are individual factors, such as sense of control and coping style, and transplant-related factors, such as severity of liver disease symptoms and side-effects of the immunosuppressive medication.
Our results emphasize the importance of psychosocial screening and support in the care of liver transplant patients throughout the transplant process.
| Original language | English |
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| Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisors/Advisors |
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| Award date | 9-Jan-2017 |
| Place of Publication | [Groningen] |
| Publisher | |
| Print ISBNs | 978-90-367-9412-1 |
| Electronic ISBNs | 978-90-367-9412-4 |
| Publication status | Published - 2017 |