Introduction: The only alternative treatment in patients developing liver failure is liver transplantation (LT). According to the 2013 statistics of Ministary of Health, the number of patients waiting for a LT is 2065 and under current circumstances, the average waiting period for a suitable donor is approximately five years. 15 -18 % of these patients lose their life while waiting for transplantation. In addition to liver failure, limitations in daily activities and depression-anxiety are commonly found in these patients. Aim of our study was to find out and analyze life quality, depression symptoms and existence of sexual functional disorders of patients waiting for a LT from a cadaveric.

Materials and Methods: By November 2012, 63 patients, who were in the list of Republic of Turkey, National Organ and Tissue Transplantation Coordination Center and who were registered in Baskent University Hospital and were regularly followed by gastroenterology, were included into the study. Face to face interviews were conducted. Gastrointestinal life quality evaluation form (GIQLI), Beck depression scale (BDI) and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) were applied to the 48 patients who approved the study.

Results: 30 of the patients were male and 18 of them were female and the average age was 46,06±13,8. The average measurement of BDI that were applied to the patients was found as 18,4±11,3. According to BDI, the patients were found to be suffering from medium depressive symptoms. The Average value of GIQLI results was 86,18±21,6. These average values actually show that life qualities of the patients have deteriorated. According to ASEX, average value for men was found as 16,3±5,58 and they were found to have sexual functional disorders at medium-high level. In women, this value was 10,05±8,21 and they were found to have sexual functional disorders at mild-medium level.

Conclusions: Depression and sexual functional problems are commonly found in chronic liver patients and their life qualities deteriorate significantly. We think that psychological support that should be given to these patients in organ waiting period will increase their life quality. Also, in order to decrease the waiting time of these patients, the society should be educated in organ donation and cadaveric organ donations must be increased.