Longterm Impact of Living Liver Donation: A Self-Report of the Donation Experience

Dianne LaPointe Rudow, Samantha DeLair, Thomas Feeley, Sander Florman, James Guarrera, Milan Kinkhabwala, Mark Orloff, Lewis Teperman, Glyn Morgan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Outcomes for adult-to-adult living liver donors (LDs) are largely based on short-term data drawn from single-center studies. The aim of this study was to determine how living liver donation (LLD) impacts self-reported quality-of-life (QOL) up to 6 years after donation in a sample of residents from New York State. New York transplant programs are state-mandated to track LDs as part of a quality assurance and patient safety effort. Donor-reported QOL within 1 year of donation and longitudinal data over a 10-year period were analyzed. Self-reported surveys include the following domains: employment, finances, health/life insurance, activities of daily living, physical/emotional health, donor experience, relationships, and LD opinions. There were 220 LDs in New York (2004-2013) who completed a survey over the 10-year period with many donors completing surveys at several points in time. Overall, longterm LDs remain as comfortable about LLD as they were during the first year after donation (95%). The majority of LDs reported feeling as well as before LLD (72%). At 1 year after donation, 60% of subjects self-reported medical problems, and 30% reported emotional issues. However, the majority reported that they would willingly donate again. In conclusion, LDs remain satisfied with their decision to donate over time. A minority of LDs report longterm medical and emotional issues. The conclusions provide information for educational interventions to improve informed choice to those considering donation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)724-733
Number of pages10
JournalLiver Transplantation
Volume25
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2019

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Hepatology
  • Transplantation

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