title: Correlation between SF-36 and six-minute walk distance in liver donors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We employed the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) to assess the quality of life (QoL) of donors after living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT).
  
  
  METHODS
  This longitudinal prospective study had data collection via an interview and test or a mailed survey. Fifty-one liver LDLT donors underwent testing before and after donation using the SF-36 questionnaire and 6MWD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The physical component summary (PCS) of the SF-36 declined (P < .0001) and the mental component summary (MCS) increased significantly (P = .04) at 1 month after donation. The 6MWD declined significantly at 2 weeks after donation (P < .0001). After standardization, there was a high correlation between PCS and 6MWD (r(2) = 0.766).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Liver donation had a moderate impact on donor physical status, but enhanced mental status. Similar decreasing trends were observed in 6MWD and PCS. After donation, real physical performance predicted PCS but not MCS.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C-B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: C-S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: T-W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: H-C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: J-C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: D-R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D005080:Exercise Test; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D013997:Time Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome