title: Assessment of living donors with respect to pre- and posttransplant psychosocial properties and posttransplant family functioning in pediatric liver transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed in this study to investigate pre- and posttransplant clinical and psychosocial features of the donors and the effects of living-related liver transplantation and possible relevant factors on psychosocial outcome and family functioning.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two living donors (19 females, age 31.84 ± 7.10 years) were evaluated. Medical records of donors regarding pre- and posttransplant clinical and psychological features and family life were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The donors were parents (n=28, 87.6%) in most. In the pretransplant evaluation, 5 donors (19.3%) had anxiety regarding postoperative complications and quality of life. Donors were discharged from the hospital in a median of 7 days (range, 5-30 days). Return to work and feeling of complete well-being were accomplished in a median of 4 weeks (range, 1-32 weeks) and 10 weeks (range, 4-48 weeks), respectively. Sixteen recipients (50.0%) suffered from major complications, and 3 (9.4%) required invasive intervention. Fourteen donors (43.4%) reported pain around the surgical incision and nonspecific gastrointestinal problems postoperatively. Psychological problems were observed in 8 donors (25.0%); 2 (6.3%) had depression requiring drug and psychotherapeutic intervention. Psychological disruption was found to be correlated with the presence of problems in the recipient (p<0.01, r=0.487). The donors' relationship with the recipient was negatively affected in 1 (3.1%), but improved in 15 (46.9%) cases. Nine donors (34.6%) displayed nervous behavior toward their spouses, and 2 (7.7%) later divorced. Life of the other family members was negatively affected in 8 (30.7%). Two donors' spouses (7.7%) failed to carry out domestic responsibilities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychological disturbance and abnormal family functioning are frequently observed during the posttransplant period. Therefore, psychologic assessment and evaluation of family functioning should be regularly repeated during the posttransplant period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, İstanbul University, İstanbul School of Medicine, İstanbul. drgokce0007@gmail.com
authors.forename: Selim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gökçe
authors.forename: Ozlem
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Durmaz
authors.forename: Gülcan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Peykerlı Gürsu
authors.forename: Ayşen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aydoğan
authors.forename: Coşkun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Celtık
authors.forename: Ilgin
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ozden
authors.forename: Semra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sökücü
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D019520:Living Donors / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011584:Psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult