poster abstractLiver transplantation is often thought of as organ recovery and lifesaving
surgery. The reality is a prolonged and stressful time for the patient and
their family (Scott & Brown, 2011). The persistence of fatigue after liver
transplantation is well documented in the research literature (Aadahl,
Hansen, Kirkegaard, & Groenvold, 2002; van den Berg-Emons et al., 2006;
Van Ginneken et al., 2010). However, there is no evidence as to the timing
of how this fatigue dissipates during the early transplanted period and its
impact on quality of life. Furthermore, studies on changes in fatigue do not
start until 6 months after transplant, leaving a gap in knowledge of the
patient’s experience post-surgery up to this point. This ongoing longitudinal
study is aimed at better understanding the recovery process. Patients from a
Midwest medical center (N=21) were followed post-discharge, at weeks 1-8
and at months 3, 6, 9, and 12. The FACIT-Fatigue Scale (Cella, 1997)
indicates a decrease in fatigue scores (less fatigue) in those subjects without
adverse events. Adverse events including re-hospitalization, surgical
complications and organ rejection were associated with higher FACIT scores
(higher level of fatigue) and less resolution over this first year. Through this
research Dr. Scott and her team hope to translate their findings into
educational resources for patients and their families to understand what to
anticipate during the post-transplant recovery period