The Effects of Symptom Distress, Social Support, and Work Change on Liver Transplant Recipients / 대한이식학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors influencing quality of life (QOL) in liver transplant recipients. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 103 liver recipients who received their follow-up more than 3 months after liver transplantation at one general hospital in Seoul. A questionnaire survey was perfomed from September 1, 2012 to September 30, 2012. QOL and factors were evaluated using SF-36, Transplant Symptom Distress Scale and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. RESULTS: Symptom distress, work change after transplant, duration after transplant were significant factors influencing QOL (Cum R2=0.39, F=19.34, P<0.001). Symptom distress was the most important factors related QOL. There were significant differences in QOL according to general characteristics such as education (t=2.16, P=0.033), work change after transplant (t=3.67, P=0.000), duration after transplant (t=2.25, P=0.027), and economic status (t=3.08, P=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, symptom distress had an influence on the QOL of liver transplant recipients. Thus, it is necessary to develop interventions for symptom distress to improve the QOL of liver transplant recipients.