Sarcouncil Journal of Internal Medicine and Public Health

Abstract: Aim: Liver failure, both acute and chronic, is a significant issue in Turkey and worldwide, leading to serious consequences and often necessitating organ transplantation as a critical treatment step. This process, however, frequently results in patients having to navigate life with disabilities. In this study, the societal stigmatization experienced by liver transplant patients and the challenges it brings were evaluated. Metods: This prospective study was conducted on liver transplant patients followed in a tertiary university hospital. Demographic data, stigmatization experiences, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were utilized, and the findings were recorded. Results: The study included 150 participants, 35.3% of whom were female, with a mean age of 52.26 ± 14.83 years. Of these, 48.7% had undergone cadaveric transplantation, while 51.3% had received living donor transplants. Among the participants, 77.3% had high self-esteem, while 22.7% had moderate self-esteem. No differences were observed in the responses to questions on stigmatization and bullying based on transplant type or self-esteem levels. Conclussion: The differences in donor sources and the self-esteem of individuals did not have an impact on the stigmatization experienced by the patients