Varshney M, Choudhury A, Sahoo B, Pamecha V, Sinha P, Patil N, Mohapatra N, Sharma V, Kumar R. Impact of covid-19 pandemic on quality of life and psychosocial difficulties among liver transplant recipients.
J Family Med Prim Care 2022;
11:744-750. [PMID:
35360795 PMCID:
PMC8963630 DOI:
10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1798_21]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background:
The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic affected health in all domains i.e., physical, mental, and social aspects. Liver transplant (LT) recipients faced a multitude of challenges during the first wave of lockdown. The aim was to identify the psychosocial difficulties and quality of life during the first year of the pandemic.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted on LT recipients with a predefined structured questionnaire that included clinical, COVID-19 anxiety scale, and Post-Transplant Quality of life questionnaire (pLTQ).
Results:
A total of 109 patients were studied; with a mean age of 50.5 ± 11.1 years, with a median post-transplant follow-up of 52.4 months and a live donor transplant in the majority (79.8%). Almost all (99.1%) could come to the hospital for regular follow-up, prior to the pandemic. But during the first wave only 57% could maintain planned hospital visits and about 88% could not pursue their regular activities, and 39% missed their routine exercise because of imposed restrictions. Similarly, financial implications were responsible for 4% defaulting from treatment; while 7.3% managed by curtailing supportive drugs (on their own) leading to deranged liver tests in 4.6%; requiring immediate attention. The psychosocial difficulties raised the stress of pandemic (median score 18), and impacted quality of life (mean total pLTQ score 4.7 ± 0.9)
Conclusions:
For LT recipients, the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic affected their physical, mental, financial, and social wellbeing; in addition to the disease itself. Awareness, psychosocial support, and comprehensive care are some unmet needs for this special group; especially when it is expected that subsequent waves may continue to occur.
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