Short-Term QOL After Live Liver Donation: A New York Center for Liver Transplantation (NYCLT) Report
1Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY
2New York Center for Liver Transplantation, Albany, NY
3New York Presbyterian Hosptial, New York, NY
4Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
5University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
6Westchester Medical Center, Valhala, NY
7New York University Hospitals Center, New York, NY.
Meeting: 2015 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: B157
Keywords: Living-related liver donors, Outcome, Psychosocial, Quality of life
Session Information
Session Name: Poster Session B: Liver: Living Donors
Session Type: Poster Session
Date: Sunday, May 3, 2015
Session Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm
Presentation Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm
Location: Exhibit Hall E
Introduction: LDLT is an option for selective patients, especially in regions with less opportunity for deceased donors. New York State (NYS) has the most LDLT since 1988 (901). Data collection on live donor outcomes to maintain donor safety and improve care is critical. Since 2004, NYCLT has conducted a NYS mandated QAPI project to collect data on Quality of Life (QOL) for adult to adult living liver donors (LD).
Purpose: Aim of the study is to measure QOL reported by LDs within 1 year of surgery.
Methods: We reviewed data collected from the 5 centers in NYS from 2004-2013, to determine impact on LDs QOL within 8 domains: (1) employment, (2) finances, (3) health/ life insurance, (4) activities of daily living, (5) physical and emotional health, (6) donor experience, (7) relationships, and (8) LD opinion.
Results: There were 307 LDLT between 2004 and 2013; 124 completed the questionnaire at 1 year. (40%). Over 95% of LDs would donate again; this did not change by year of donation. 90% were happy with care received from the hospital. Less than half of LDs report having no medical problems within the first year after LD. Common issues were incisional pain and stomach muscle pain. LDs had an average of $500-1000 out of pocket expenses, found employers supportive of LD but did need to use paid time off for recovery. LDs report being denied life insurance. Less than 50% of LDs spoke to a previous LD but did find it useful and recommended this be common practice. Few donors (under 10%) reported feelings of depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts; most (>90%) reported no active emotional problems. None had received counseling. The majority of LDs had a “good feeling from donating.” Most gave recommendations for improvement in the LD experience.
Conclusion: This study reveals important LD experiences up to 1 year after LD. Despite significant changes in LD practice in NYS, donors remain satisfied with the decision to donate but offer useful information to improve care and education. Results can impact educational practices nationally.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Rudow DLaPointe, DeLair S, Florman S, Guarrera J, Kinkhabwala M, Orloff M, Wu Y, Teperman L. Short-Term QOL After Live Liver Donation: A New York Center for Liver Transplantation (NYCLT) Report [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2015; 15 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/short-term-qol-after-live-liver-donation-a-new-york-center-for-liver-transplantation-nyclt-report/. Accessed May 9, 2025.« Back to 2015 American Transplant Congress