Psychological characteristics of candidates for liver transplantation

This study examined depression, anxiety, coping styles, optimism, selected personality characteristics, and perception of family environment among candidates for liver transplantation (OLTX); the goal was to measure and empirically describe psychosocial factors reported to impact on the experience and outcome of transplantation. Subjects were 73 US military veterans being considered for OLTX at the VAMC-Pittsburgh (UD) from 1994 to 1996. Psychological evaluation consisted of chart review, consultation with the transplant team, clinical interview and administration of published, standardized, and readily available psychological tests. Candidates displayed above normal levels of situational anxiety and depression, mainly adaptive coping styles, mild optimism, and positive family environments. Factor analysis of the data identified two dimensions of psychological distress, five coping styles, and three types of family environment. The composite MMPI-2 profile for the sample shows marked elevations of the neurotic triad and moderate elevations of psychasthenia and schizophrenia scales. Psychological distress, psychopathology, coping styles, optimism, and perceptions of family environment correlate with each other in the directions suggested by the literature. These findings support previous research with empirical data; results encourage the development of consistent psychological protocols and procedures to evaluate and treat organ transplant candidates.