Long-Term Financial, Psychosocial, and Overall Health-Related Quality of Life After Living Liver Donation

• Published in: The Journal of surgical research 2020-09, Vol.253, p.41-52
• Main Authors: Raza, Muhammad H., Kim, Michelle H., Ding, Li, Fong, Tse-Ling, Romero, Christian, Genyk, Yuri, Sher, Linda, Emamaullee, Juliet
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Living donor liver transplantation; living liver donation; Quality of life
• ISSN: 0022-4804; 1095-8673
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2020.03.025

To assess the impact of living liver donation (LD) in a diverse and aging population up to 20 y after donation, particularly with regard to medical, financial, psychosocial, and overall health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Patients undergoing LD between 1999 and 2009 were recruited to respond to the Short-Form 36 and a novel Donor Quality of Life Survey at two time points (2010 and 2018). Sixty-eight living liver donors (LLDs) completed validated surveys, with a mean follow-up of 11.5 ± 5.1 y. Per Donor Quality of Life Survey data, physical activity or strength was not impacted by LD in most patients. All respondents returned to school or employment, and 82.4% reported that LD had no impact on school or work performance. LD did not impact health insurability in 95.6% of donors, and only one patient experienced difficulty obtaining life insurance. Overall, 97.1% of respondents did not regret LD. Short-Form 36 survey–measured outcomes were similar between LLDs and the general U.S. population. LLDs who responded in both 2010 and 2018 were followed for an overall average of 15.4 ± 2.4 y and HRQOL outcomes in these donors also remained statistically equivalent to U.S. population norms. This study represents the longest postdonation follow-up and offers unique insight related to HRQOL in a highly diverse patient population. Although LLDs continue to maintain excellent HRQOL outcomes up to 20 y after donation, continued lifetime follow-up is required to accurately provide young, healthy potential donors with an accurate description of the risks that they may incur on aging.