Stability of Psychiatric Diagnoses in Candidates to Liver Transplantation Referred to a Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Service

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the stability over time of the psychiatric diagnoses among candidates to liver transplantation referred to a consultation-liaison psychiatric service. Method: Descriptive study, carried out at the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Service (CLPS) placed at the Modena (Italy) General University Hospital. All patients waiting for liver transplantation and repeatedly referred to the CLPS were enrolled. The observation period was from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2013. Pearson’s coefficients were calculated to measure diagnostic stability (index referral vs. last referral). Results: One hundred patients were assessed (males 67%; mean age 53 ± 7 years old). The mean number of referrals for patients was 3 ± 2. The stability rate of psychiatric diagnosis was 64%. The following diagnoses or conditions were all significantly stable (i.e., all featured by r > 0.5 and p < 0.05): Adjustment disorder, depressive disorder, comorbid anxiety/depressive disorder, substance use disorder (including alcohol), absence of any disorder, and presence of any disorder. Conclusions: The good level of diagnostic stability displayed in the sample may be a function of the clinical and organizational “style” of the CLPS, namely the focus on identifying the prevailing personality traits, defensive mechanisms, and relational patterns.

Diagnostic Agreement between Physicians and a Consultation–Liaison Psychiatry Team at a General Hospital: An Exploratory Study across 20 Years of Referrals

“…Third, in such a wide timespan (20 years) the inter-rater agreement may have changed also as an effect of the succeeding of different CL psychiatrists. Nevertheless, the Modena CLP service has always been characterized by a shared bio-psycho-social framework and a psychodynamic orientation that have been source of consistency and diagnostic stability across the years, for similar clinical conditions [ 53 ]; also, one of the authors (S.F.) has been part of the staff of the CLP service for the whole 20 years, contributing further to stabilize diagnostic procedures and methods of data collection.…”

Effects of Illness Perception on Self-Care Agency and Hopelessness Levels in Liver Transplant Patients: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

“…It is thought that psychosocial status has important effect on outcomes LT (Golfieri et al, 2019). Although LT increases the survival rate of individuals, transplant patients may face various psychiatric realities (Mattei et al, 2019). Even if they have had a successful transplant, they have to cope with life and role changes, negative side effects of medicine, and new potential complications (social isolation, organ rejection, infection, etc.)…”

The Relationship Between Anxiety and Intolerance of Uncertainty Levels in Individuals Who Received Liver Transplant: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

“…According to 2019 data, the number of patients awaiting LT is 2,256, and 1,776 liver transplants were performed (Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health, 2019). Although LT increases the survival rate of individuals with end-stage liver disease, the patients who receive transplant may be confronted with a variety of psychiatric reality, particularly anxiety (Mattei et al, 2019). Even if they have had a successful transplant, they have to cope with the changes in life and roles, the negative side effects of medicine, new potential complications (infection, organ rejection, social isolation etc.)…”