Prevalence of psychological problems and associated transplant-related variables at different time periods after liver transplantation.

Abstract

After liver transplantation, recipients often experience psychological problems that are influenced by demographic, personal, and transplant-related variables. However, because previous studies have mostly reported on psychological problems and their influencing factors in the first years after transplantation, less is known about their prevalence and influence in the long run. The aims of this study were to examine point-prevalence rates of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress (PTS) at different time periods after transplantation and to examine the transplant-related variables associated with these problems. A cross-sectional survey was performed among 373 liver transplant recipients who received transplants between 1979 and 2009 at our center. Five clinically relevant time periods were identified: 0.5 to <2 years, 2 to <5 years, 5 to <10 years, 10 to <15 years, and ≥15 years after transplantation. The response rate was 75% (n=281). Overall, 33.4% of the respondents experienced clinically relevant symptom levels of anxiety (28.7%), depression (16.5%), or PTS (10.0%). Symptoms of anxiety and depression were more prevalent in the first 2 years and in the long term after transplantation. PTS symptoms were more prevalent in the first 5 years after transplantation. However, the prevalence rates did not differ significantly between time periods. Viral hepatitis and the number of side effects of the immunosuppressive (IS) medication were found to be associated with all psychological problems. Alcoholic liver disease was associated with anxiety and depression in the short term after transplantation. In conclusion, a significant subset of transplant recipients experience psychological problems, both shortly after transplantation and in the long run. These problems are often associated with side effects from the IS medication. Therefore, the monitoring of psychological problems, the offering of psychological counseling, and the management of the medication's side effects should be part of the routine care of transplant recipients.

• Authors: Coby Annema, Petrie F Roodbol, Roy E Stewart, Robert J Porte, Adelita V Ranchor
• Journal: Liver transplantation : official publication of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the International Liver Transplantation Society (Liver Transpl) Vol. 21 Issue 4 Pg. 524-38 (Apr 2015) ISSN: 1527-6473 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25556775 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2015 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Chemical References

• Immunosuppressive Agents

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Anxiety (diagnosis, epidemiology, psychology)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Depression (diagnosis, epidemiology, psychology)
• Female
• Health Care Surveys
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (adverse effects)
• Liver Transplantation (adverse effects, psychology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Netherlands (epidemiology)
• Prevalence
• Risk Factors
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic (diagnosis, epidemiology, psychology)
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome