Effect of Age at Liver Transplant on Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life Among Adolescents

Introduction: Life expectancy for pediatric liver transplant patients has increased over the past decade. Different stages of the transplant process can impact patients' quality of life (QOL) and create psychological and physical stressors. This study explored whether age at transplant affected adolescents' feelings of anxiety, depression, and QOL. Design: In this cross-sectional quantitative study, data were collected on 22 adolescent patients aged 13-18 who received a transplant at least 12 months before enrollment. This cohort was divided into 2 groups based on their age at transplant: Group 1 (0-5 years) and Group 2 (6-18 years). To assess transplant-related anxiety, depression, and QOL, participants completed 3 surveys: the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Transplant Module (PedsQL TM). Results: Group 1 experienced less anxiety and fewer problems based on GAD-7 scores but reported stronger feelings of depression based on PHQ-9 scores. Based on the PedsQL TM scale, Group 1 had higher mean scores compared to Group 2 across all components (mean difference range: 7.2- 27.3; Cohen's d range: 0.27 - 1.13). The largest difference between the 2 groups was observed on the PedsQL TM scale's How I Look (Group 1 mean 81.1 vs. Group 2 mean 53.8; Cohen's d: 1.13; P = 0.015), Conclusion: In this cohort, age at transplant affected adolescents' feelings of anxiety, depression, and QOL. Awareness of these findings can help clinicians screen for and address mental health issues.