Persons with severe liver disease often have a poor quality of life before liver transplantation. This poor quality of life is related to chronic disease and decline in health caused by poor liver function. Medical treatments may be of some help in limiting the bad effects of advanced liver disease, cirrhosis and its complications. However a more complete return of quality of life and health must usually wait until after recovery from a successful liver transplantation procedure.

The most common liver related disease complications include the confusion of encephalopathy, the discomfort of increased abdominal size caused by acites, and internal bleeding from varices. These complications usually reflect the severity, or worsening, of liver disease. Most patients will feel even sicker because these complications can limit the ususal activities of daily living, cause adverse changes in perceived body image, and further contribute to a feeling of poor health. Complications of liver disease frequently require immediate admission to the hospital for treatment followed by the prescription of new medicines. At other times, only a change in already prescribed medications is necessary. Unfortunately those medications sometimes have side effects that further worsen quality of life. Lactose for encephalopathy can cause diarrhea. Diuretics for acites can cause urinary frequency and, in men, painful enlargement of the breast (spironolactone). Propanolol, given to reduce the risk of bleeding from varices, can cause fatigue and sexual dysfunction.

All patients with liver disease severe enough to need liver transplantation share the anxiety of not knowing when they will receive a new liver. Transplant patients share fear, with their family and love ones, that they may need to become more ill before they are sick enough to receive a liver transplant. Other patient's live with the fear that a liver cancer may not respond to specialized treatments. Worsening illness frequently means loss of employment and income. Patients may find that they become progressively more dependent on family and friends for care and support. For example, patients to ill to drive must arrange for transportation to more frequent clinic visits.

Medical therapies are designed to limit the effects from chronic liver disease. Prescribed treatments, medicines, and diets can minimize the illness and diminish quality of life associated with liver disease and cirrhosis.

All members of the USC Liver Transplant Team are dedicated to do all that is possible and necessary to improve a patient's quality of life. Physicians, transplant coordinators, in patient nurse practitioners, a social worker, and financial advisors are all available to provide services to the patient in need. The best quality of life is made possible by the successful liver transplant procedure!