PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF THE QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN PATIENTS ASSESSED FOR LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION - OUTCOME IN TRANSPLANTED AND NOT TRANSPLANTED GROUPS

The quality of life in adult patients with chronic liver disease who w ere considered for transplantation was assessed prospectively over a 2 year period, for both those who did and did not subsequently receive transplants. The main outcome measures were the Nottingham Health Prof ile and survival. Of the 109 patients who completed an entry profile, 27 were transplanted, 71 not transplanted during the study period, and 11 rejected for transplant. Quality of life and severity of liver dis ease at entry was worse for the transplant group, whose survival at 15 months from entry was 81% compared with 78% for those not transplante d. Among transplant survivors there were marked improvements in qualit y of life, whilst amongst those not receiving transplants there was li ttle change. In conclusion, liver transplantation was effective in imp roving quality of life in patients with chronic liver disease, but com parison between transplant and non-transplant patients is difficult be cause of differences between the groups.