Aerobic capacity, muscle strength and health-related quality of life before and after orthotopic liver transplantation: preliminary data of an Austrian transplantation centre.
OBJECTIVE
Patients before orthotopic liver transplantation usually show a reduced physical performance status, which impacts on their daily life and social participation. This pilot study aimed to evaluate endurance capacity, muscle strength, and quality of life before and after orthotopic liver transplantation in patients in an Austrian transplantation centre.


METHODS
Fifteen patients (male/female = 10:5) were included in the pilot study.


METHODS
Exercise testing, strength testing of knee extensor muscles and of handgrip, and quality of life (SF-36 health survey) were assessed before and after orthotopic liver transplantation (after 1-2 months).


RESULTS
The oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold (VO2AT) and isokinetic strength testing of quadriceps femoris muscle did not change significantly from baseline, before transplantation to follow-up after orthotopic liver transplantation. Before orthotopic liver transplantation, quality of life was hampered concerning functional status, emotional role, vitality, and general health perception. Significant improvements of social functioning (p=0.032), vitality (p=0.006), mental health (p=0.004) and general health perception (p=0.002) could be found for this study population after orthotopic liver transplantation.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this pilot study including a population of an Austrian transplantation centre indicate deficits of physical performance as well as reduced quality of life in patients before and after orthotopic liver transplantation.
Pieber
Karin
K
Department of Physical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
Crevenna
Richard
R
Nuhr
Martin J
MJ
Quittan
Michael
M
Peck-Radosavljevic
Markus
M
Fialka-Moser
Veronika
V
Wiesinger
Günther F
GF
D000328:Adult; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires