MELD Score Reflects the Mood, Sleep, and Daily Living Ability in Liver Transplantation Candidates: A Descriptive Study

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the psychosocial status (mood, sleep quality, and activities of daily living) of candidates on an orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) waiting list and to identify the association between psychosocial factors and MELD score in end-stage liver disease (ESLD). MATERIAL/METHODS: Fifty-three OLT waiting list candidates completed 4 scales (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HAMD-17], Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale [HAM-A], Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI], Activities of Daily Living Scale [ADL]) to assess their affective status, sleep quality, and daily living ability. Candidates were divided into 2 groups, the high MELD score group (MELD score ≥15) and the low MELD score group (MELD score <15), and statistical analyses, including the Spearman test for correlation and the Mann-Whiney U-test, were conducted. RESULTS: The high MELD group had significantly higher scores than the low MELD score group for HAM-A (P=0.024), PSQI (P=0.021), and ADL (P=0.000). In addition, the MELD score was positively correlated with HAMD-17 (r=0.362, P<0.01), HAM-A (r=0.430, P<0.01), PSQI (r=0.289, P<0.05), and ADL (r=0.585, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: MELD score could be a comprehensive indicator in OLT for more promptly detecting biopsychosocial problems derived from ESLD. It also provides a reference for both medical and psychosocial intervention before and after OLT.