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NCT Number: NCT07576920

Anxiety Levels in Living Liver Donors

Anxiety is a state of worry and apprehension caused by internal and external threats. High preoperative anxiety levels have been associated with increased anesthetic requirements, higher morbidity, and mortality rates. In adult patients undergoing various surgical procedures, preoperative anxiety rates have been reported to range from 11% to 80%. Most studies show that postoperative anxiety levels are related to preoperative anxiety levels. In patients undergoing general anesthesia, anxiety levels increase a few days after surgery as issues related to recovery and pain become apparent. Patients with high postoperative anxiety levels have also been reported to have a higher rate of medical complications.

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Key information

Conditions

Anxiety Postoperative Anxiety Disorders Mental Disorders

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Turgut Ozal Medical Center

Malatya, 44315, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Zekine Begec

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Zekine Begec, Dr

CONTACT

[email protected]

904223410660

About this study

Liver transplantation is the only treatment for end-stage liver disease. The shortage of organ donations is leading clinicians to increasingly perform transplants from living donors. The biggest concern in living-donor liver transplantation is donor safety.

Liver donors undergo a major surgical operation that offers no medical benefit to them. The procedure can involve not only a physical but also a psychological burden. Given this situation, protecting both the physical and psychological health of liver donors is essential.

Anxiety studies primarily focus on organ transplant recipients However, the quality of life of donors and psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression are attracting increasing attention in the field of organ transplantation today. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 2018:14 1999-2005 A literature review revealed that there are limited studies investigating how donors are affected during the transplantation process in living-donor liver transplantation.

The aim of our study is to determine the preoperative and postoperative anxiety levels of donors in living donor liver transplantation and to identify possible conditions that may be associated with anxiety.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • ASA 1-2 group patients aged 18-65 years who are liver transplant donors

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients with communication problems, those who are illiterate,
  • Patients do not have sufficient time for the tests,
  • Patients using sedatives, antidepressants, or antiepileptic drugs,
  • Patients with cerebrovascular or psychiatric diseases,
  • Patients with alcohol or substance addiction,
  • Patients who do not want or cannot undergo the second test

Treatment and study plan

Anxiety scores

Behavioral

Anxiety scores will evaluated STAI test. The STAI test consists of two sections of 20 questions each. The first section of the test includes questions about how the person feels at that moment. Answers are given on a scale of 4 points. For example: I am calm right now: not at all=1, a little=2, a lot=3, completely=4. The second section of the test includes questions about how the person feels in general and is also answered on a scale of 4 points.

Primary outcomes

  1. Anxiety Scores

    Time frame: From 24 hours prior to the operation to postoperative 3. day and 7. day

    The STAI test is a questionnaire comprising two, 20-item scales used to measure state and trait anxiety. The anxiety levels of LLDs will be evaluated by using the STAI. The STAI-State (STAI-S) form will be use to measure the current anxiety level. The test includes questions about how the person feels at that moment. Answers are given on a scale of 4 points. For example: I am calm right now: not at all=1, a little=2, a lot=3, completely=4. The STAI-Trait (STAI-T) form will be use to measure the underlying (ongoing/personality) anxiety level of the patient. The test includes questions about how the person feels in general and is also answered on a scale of 4 points. Each patient will complete these forms preoperatively and postoperatively. The mean (total) score on the STAI has a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 80. The STAI scores are generally classified as no anxiety or low anxiety (score of 20-37), moderate anxiety (score of 38-44), and high anxiety (score of 45-80).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Presence of an alternative donor

    Time frame: Prior to the operation

    The relationship between the presence or absence of an alternative donor and donors anxiety scores will be evaluated. This will be defined as "alternative donor available" or "alternative donor not available."

  2. Recipient Prognosis

    Time frame: at the postoperative 3. day and 7. day

    The relationship between the recipients prognosis and donors anxiety scores will be evaluated. This will be defined as the recipient living or not living

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Muharrem Uçar, Professor

CONTACT

[email protected]

904223410660 ext. 3112

Zekine Begeç, Professor

CONTACT

[email protected]

904223410660 ext. 3112

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Inonu University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluation of Preoperative and Postoperative Anxiety in Living Liver Donors

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
May 8, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 16, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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