Mental and physical quality of life in actual living liver donors versus potential living liver donors: A prospective, controlled, multicenter study

Abstract

In a quasi-experimental design, we investigated the quality of life (QOL) in actual liver donors (n ϭ 43) and potential liver donors (n ϭ 33) before and 3 months after liver transplantation. This is the first study in this field combining a prospective design with an adequate control group. Potential donors served as a control group because they also had a relative in need of a liver transplant and were as emotionally involved with the recipient as actual donors, but they were not subjected to the donor operation. Groups did not differ in age, gender, marital status, donor-recipient relationship, urgency of transplantation, or recipient group (adult versus child). Actual donors showed decreased physical QOL, whereas potential donors were not affected. However, for both groups, a decrease in anxiety was found. Furthermore, actual donors showed a better mental QOL postoperatively than potential donors. The recipients of these 2 groups did not differ with respect to postoperative complications. Furthermore, the groups did not report a different caregiver burden, but actual donors showed higher self-esteem. Because of the surgery, the worsening of physical symptoms in actual donors was expected. It is remarkable, however, that although actual donors still showed a limited physical QOL 3 months after the operation, in both groups, a similar reduction in anxiety could be observed, and actual donors even demonstrated a better mental QOL postoperatively than potential donors. The latter might be due to a psychological benefit that actual donors derived from the fact that they were able to help the recipients.

Donor Quality of Life up to Two Years After Living Donor Liver Transplantation

“…The immediate postoperative MCS improvement in AP donors, which was not seen in potential donors, could even implicate a benefit those donors derived because they were actively involved in the recipient's recovery (16). Furthermore, it could be hypothesized that the better mental QOL in AP donors compared to AA donors after LLD might also be a result of the lower complication rate in left-lateral segment donation with the safer surgery reflecting positively on psychological well-being.…”

Liver Transplant—Psychiatric and Psychosocial Aspects

“…75 Most donors consider organ donation as a positive experience and would donate again if needed. [105][106][107] In a comparison of actual and potential donors, it was seen that actual donors have a higher selfesteem, 108 reflecting that donor felt a sense of purpose.…”

Psychosomatic aspects of living donor liver transplantation

“…Einer Untersuchung von Schulz et al zufolge zeigten beim Gruppenvergleich tatsäch-licher und potenzieller Spender (n=76) vor und 3 Monate nach der Lebertransplantation tatsächliche Spender eine reduzierte körperliche Lebensqualität, potenzielle Spender hingegen nicht [27]. Jedoch wiesen tatsächliche Spender verglichen mit potenziellen Spendern postoperativ eine höhere psychische Lebensqualität auf.…”

“…Jedoch wiesen tatsächliche Spender verglichen mit potenziellen Spendern postoperativ eine höhere psychische Lebensqualität auf. Darüber hinaus zeigten tatsächliche Spender ein höheres Selbstwertgefühl [27]. Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass der Benefit der Spender von psychischer Natur ist, da sie in der Lage waren, einem emotional verbundenen Menschen helfen zu können.…”