Preoperative and Postoperative Endogenous Melatonin and Anxiety Levels and Their Correlation in Living Liver Donors.

Objectives: High anxiety levels may lead to mental and physical changes that may affect quality of life. Melatonin has anxiolytic properties. It has been reported that administration of melatonin reduces anxiety. In this study, we examined the preoperative and postoperative anxiety levels of living liver donors and the correlation between anxiety levels and endogenous melatonin levels.

Materials and methods: This prospective clinical study included 56 living liver donors who underwent right hepatectomy (39 women, 17 men; average age of 29 ± 7 years). The anxiety levels were evaluated by using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Test with a form for this test used to measure the current state of anxiety score and another form used to measure the underlying anxiety score of the patient. These forms were applied preoperatively and postoperatively. Blood samples were taken simultaneously for melatonin levels. Melatonin levels were measured using high-pressure liquid chromatography. Our primary outcomes were to determine the preoperative and postoperative endogenous melatonin and anxiety levels of living liver donors and to investigate their correlations.

Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between preoperative and postoperative state of anxiety scores. The preoperative and postoperative underlying anxiety scores were similar. A statistically significant difference was found between the preoperative endogenous melatonin level and postoperative endogenous melatonin level. A significant correlation was not observed between the preoperative and postoperative current and underlying anxiety levels or endogenous melatonin levels.

Conclusions: Living liver donors had high anxiety levels during the preoperative and postoperative periods. A significant decrease was identified in the postope-rative hour 24 endogenous melatonin level. These results may lay the foundation for interventions that can identify emotional changes as well as control and improve the mental health of living liver donors.