title: Mental Status in Patients Before and After Liver Transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In contrast to the well-described beneficial organic effects of liver transplantation (OLT) in patients with end-stage liver disease, changes in the mental status of patients after OLT remain poorly understood. The current study seeks to evaluate the influence of OLT on anxiety, depression, and dispositional optimism in patients with end-stage liver disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires were sent to patients on the OLT waiting list and patients after OLT. Depression/anxiety and dispositional optimism were assessed using the HADS and LOT-R questionnaires, respectively. These findings were compared to results from the general population.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of returned questionnaires was 292 of 940 (31.1%; 57 patients on the liver transplant waiting list: waiting group, 235 liver transplant recipients: OLT group). Both depression and anxiety scores were significantly higher in the waiting group when compared to the OLT group (p<0.05) and the general population (anxiety: p<0.001, depression: p<0.05), respectively. The OLT group was characterized by significantly higher anxiety scores (p<0.001) compared to the general population. Depression and summation scores did not differ (p>0.05). Dispositional optimism was higher in the OLT group compared to the waiting group (p<0.05) and to the general population (p<0.01). The waiting group had equal values as the general population (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Besides beneficial effects on liver function, OLT appears to be associated with significant improvements in depression and anxiety and a more optimistic view of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Visceral, Thoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Benzing
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Nicco
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Krezdorn
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hinz
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Heide
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Glaesmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Elmar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brähler
authors.affiliation: Department of Visceral, Thoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Förster
authors.affiliation: Deptartment of Visceral, Thoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery , University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wiltberger
authors.affiliation: Transplant Surgery Research Laboratory and Division of Transplant Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Krenzien
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Campus Virchow, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Moritz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmelzle
authors.affiliation: Department of Visceral, Thoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bartels
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D058625:End Stage Liver Disease / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D057234:Preoperative Period; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D014850:Waiting Lists; D055815:Young Adult