Relevant factors to psychological status of donors before living-related liver transplantation

BACKGROUND. While previous surveys have demonstrated the psychological impact on living-related liver transplantation (LRLT) donors, such as anxiety, depression, ambivalence and anger, the details regarding the relevant factors that affect donors' psychological status have not been well described. METHODS. To evaluate environmental factors, 66 donors were interviewed to obtain information regarding donors' decision-making motivation, process, conflicts, and internal pressure about donation just before surgery. To determine the donors' psychological status, they completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and World Health Organization Quality of Life 26 standardized psychological tests for anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL). Respective recipients completed the same tests separately, in order to determine psychological synchronization with the donors. With regard to motivation, donors were divided into two groups, and further divided into three groups based on processes. Donors were also sorted in groups of those "with conflict" and "with pressure." Their psychological test results were compared within groups, as well as with those from recipients. RESULTS. Donors from the nonvolunteer or postponement groups were significantly more anxious and depressed than other donors. Donors from the "with conflict" or "with pressure" groups were significantly more anxious, more depressed, and had worse QOL. There was a significant positive correlation between donors' and recipients' test results for anxiety and QOL, especially when donors belonged to the volunteer group. CONCLUSIONS. Our results suggest that donors' decision-making process and recipients' psychological status, especially donors' state anxiety should be considered when assessing donors' psychological status before LRLT.