Evaluation of preop and postop period nutritional status, biochemical findings and life quality levels of patients having undergoing liver transplantation

Liver transplantation is the only treatment method that is recommended to patients with end-stage liver failure (ESLF), which cannot be cured with other treatment methods, and that extends lifespan and improves quality. The purpose of this study is to evaluate nutritional status, biochemical findings and extending the survival and life quality in preop and postop periods. The study was conducted on 40 liver transplant candidates in total, 13 of which are female and 27 are male, with an average age of 53 years, who were admitted in Private Şişli Florence Nightingale Hospital between December 2014-March 2015 to undergoing liver transplant. Personal information, accompanying diseases, transplantation method, anthropometric measurements, biochemical findings, nutritional status and life quality levels of patients were evaluated. Energy and nutrieints intake of patients were assessed as postop 1st month, postop 3rd month and postop 6th month with 3-days daily dietary recall Daily average energy intake of participating patients in postop 3rd month and postop 6th month showed a meaningful increase compared to postop 1st month (p˂0,05). According to SGD results, 53.8% of preop patients were found to have mild malnutrition. Looking at mid-upper arm circumference, triceps and biceps values, a significant decrease was found between preop, postop 7th day, postop 15th day and postop 1st month (p<0.05). Albumin values for postop 7th day, postop 15th day, postop 1st month, postop 3rd month and postop 6th month showed a significant increase compared to preop period (p˂0,05). ALT and AST values in postop 1st month, postop 3rd month and postop 6th month showed a significant decrease compared to preop period (p˂0,05). LDL value in postop 1st month showed a significant decrease compared to preop period (p˂0,05). LDL value in postop 3rd month and postop 6th month showed a significant increase compared to preop period (p˂0,05). Daily protein intake of participating patients in total in postop 3rd month and postop 6th month showed a meaningful increase compared to postop 1st month, and protein value in postop 6th month showed a meaningful increase compared to postop 3rd month (p˂0,05). Physical function score in total in postop 7th day and postop 15th day showed a significant decrease compared to preop period, and physical function score in 3rd month and 6th month showed a meaningful increase compared to preop period (p˂0,05). In consequence, preop and postop nutritional status of liver transplantation patients should be assessed carefully. With the recovery of liver functions after the transplantation, anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters and food intake return to normal gradually, and life quality levels are enhanced. Key Words: Liver Transplantation, Nutritional Status, Life Quality, Albumin, Triceps Skinfold Thickness (TSFT).