Purpose: to describe laxatives or diuretics misuse (LDM) in liver transplant recipients. Keywords:liver transplantation, eating disorders, quality of life Method: 135 patients who received liver transplantation at our center between 1/1/2007 and 9/1/ 2011 were surveyed. The questionnaire included demographic information, Eating Assessment Test (EAT), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Relationship Style Questionnaire (RSQ), and Short Form Health Survey (SF 36). Results: 32 questionnaires were returned (response rate of 30.1%). Average time since transplant was 2.5 ± 2.4 years. 21.9 % (7) respondents were within the first year post transplant; 65.6% (21) were male, 40.6% (13) had anxiety and 25% (8) had depression on HADS. LDM was present in 18.7% (6) of the subjects. It was equally found in men and women (19% versus 18.2%), in married or divorces subjects (22% versus 20%). LDM was more common in whites (33.3%) than non white (18.5%), and more common in the unemployed (40% versus 20 % in the unemployed or retired). 33.3% of subjects with hepatitis C, 28.6% of whose with hepatic carcinoma, 25% of subjects with fulminant hepatitis and 25% of subjects with alcoholic cirrhosis reported LDM. Presence of LDM did not correlate with presence of depression, anxiety, positive screening on EAT or a history of addiction. LDM correlated with being overweight (p=0.03) and worse physical health of the SF 36 (p=0.04). Conclusion: LDM is present in a significant proportion of liver transplant recipients. It may correlate with worse physical health and being overweight. More information is needed regarding psychological and medical factors which predispose patients to LDM.
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