Hospital readmissions after liver transplantation worsen mental health depression: A cohort study

Liver transplantation continues to be the most effective treatment of choice for patients with end-stage liver disease. Patients who go through that process experienced emotional stress and transplanted patients have a high rate of readmission.

This study aims to analyze the relation between mental health and hospital readmissions during the first year after liver transplantation.

A prospective study was conducted in a cohort of liver transplant patients in a tertiary hospital. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected. A descriptive analysis of the data and a multivariate study using a mixed linear model were performed.

Liver transplant patients improve their mental health within the first year. Hospital admissions during the first-year impact negatively increasing anxiety and depression in liver transplant patients, especially in women.

The nurse must carry out a continuous psychological evaluation during the process and manage the necessary care, coordinating interdisciplinary care with the appropriate professionals to provide the emotional and psychological care. A multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary team should focus on the prevention of hospital admissions, controlling and managing cardiovascular risk, adherence to immunosuppressive treatment, adherence to the clinical follow-up prescribed by physicians, prevention of infections and promotion of healthy habits.