Publication

Abstract : Background and AimLiver transplantation (LT) is the standard treatment for end-stage liver disease. As a result of advances in surgical techniques and emerging immunosuppressive therapy, the survival and clinical outcomes have improved, and the focus has shifted to Quality of Life (QOL) outcomes after surgery. Many patients are more concerned about Health related quality of life (HRQoL) after LT than longevity, which gives importance to QOL assessments. The present study was undertaken to assess the HRQoL among liver transplant recipients.MethodA descriptive survey approach was used for the study. Thirty liver transplant recipients who have completed one month after surgery were selected as a sample of convenience. WHOQOL – BREF scale was used to assess HRQoL among liver transplant recipients.ResultsAmong 30 subject, 14(46.7%) had high QOL and 16(53.33%) had low QOL. The mean score was highest in general health domain(76.3%) followed by environmental domain (73.5%) and social domain(71.5%) and lowest in psychological domain(66.8%). There was no association between QOL in different domains with any of the variables except general health domain. In general health domain a significant association was found with education and occupation (p0.05). A positive correlation was observed between QOL and duration after transplantation(r=0.276,p=0.014).ConclusionThe study concluded that most of the recipients have low QOL but it improves over a period of time. Achieving high QOL depends on adequate awareness regarding post transplant care and regular follow up.