Severity of liver disease and quality of life in liver transplantation

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the influence of liver disease severity on the quality of life of patients before and after liver transplantation. Methods: A descriptive study with 150 liver transplant recipients over 18 years of age. Severity was assessed using Child and MELD, and the Liver Disease Quality of Life was administered. The t-test or Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the mean values of the domains, and an ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test was used for between group comparison. Results: Prior to transplantation, patients with Child class C had lower quality of life scores than those with Child class A. Patients with MELD lower than or equal to 15 had a significant increase of mean values in ten domains, whereas patients with MELD scores greater than 15 had increased mean values in 12 domains. Conclusion: There was a negative influence of severity on quality of life prior to transplantation, according to Child-Turcotte-Pugh. The MELD did not interfere significantly in the post-transplantation outcomes, even though the mean values increased.