Background: The long-term impact of living donation (LD) in liver transplantation on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has not been well characterized. This study was designed to investigate HRQOL in living liver donors, at several intervals up to 19 years post-donation in a single institution.

Methods: Between 2004 and 2017, HRQOL was assessed at three intervals (2004, 2010, 2017) using the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) to assess generic outcomes. A separate Donor Quality of Life Survey (DQLS) was designed to explore the financial, medical, and psychosocial impact of LD.

Results: In total, 67 living donors responded to the SF-36 and DQLS, with a mean follow up of 6.5±0.3 years. The mean age at donation was 44.5±1.3 years, and 53.7% of respondents were male. SF-36 mental and physical component summary scale scores were higher compared to the normal US population data (p<0.05). DQLS data was grouped into four areas: physical activity, employment status, insurance status, and emotional status. 76.1% of respondents were able to resume the same level of physical activity as prior to surgery, while 73.1% remain physically active with strength that is equal to or greater than pre-operatively. 91% of respondents returned to school or work after donation, and 80.6% reported that LD had no impact on their performance. 95.5% of respondents reported that their health insurance had not been impacted by LD. Only 10.4% of respondents indicated that they had applied for life insurance post-LD; however, 28.6% of these patients reported that LD had impacted their ability to obtain coverage. Overall, 85.1% of respondents felt positive about their surgery, and 97.0% indicated that they did not regret LD. Data from the 2017 surveys is currently being analyzed and will represent a mean follow up of 13 years post-donation.

Conclusion: These data demonstrate that most patients report above average HRQOL post-LD when compared to the general population. To our knowledge, this study will represent the longest follow up of HRQOL in LD and represents unique data related to physical, financial, and psychosocial factors in HRQOL after LD.

CITATION INFORMATION: Emamaullee J., Sher L., Fong T-.L., Dhanireddy K., Zielsdorf S., Romero C., Wade N., Genyk Y. Long-Term Medical, Financial, Psychosocial, and Overall Health-Related Quality of Life after Living Donation in Liver Transplantation Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

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