Quality of life in cirrhosis is related to potentially treatable factors.

OBJECTIVE

Improvement of prognosis and availability of diverse therapeutic options for complications of advanced liver disease highlight the importance of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to identify factors that influence HRQOL and may be potentially treatable in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS

HRQOL was measured in 212 outpatients with cirrhosis using a generic questionnaire (Medical Outcomes Study Form, SF-36) and a liver-specific questionnaire (Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire, CLDQ). All patients underwent a systematic clinical and neuropsychological assessment. Independent factors associated with poor HRQOL were identified by multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

HRQOL scores exhibited by patients were: global CLDQ: 4.8+/-1.2; Physical Component Score of SF-36: 38.5+/-10.7; Mental Component Score of SF-36: 45.3+/-14.3. The independent variables for global CLDQ were female sex, nonalcoholic etiology, current ascites, and a decrease in albumin (R = 0.22). For Physical Component Score of SF-36, the independent variables were prior hepatic encephalopathy, current ascites, and a decrease in hemoglobin (R = 0.22). For Mental Component Score of SF-36, the independent variables were nonalcoholic etiology, the Grooved Pegboard test, and a decrease in hemoglobin (R = 0.14).

CONCLUSION

Several clinical variables, potentially treatable, may alter particular aspects of HRQOL. Correction of ascites, hypoalbuminemia, minimal hepatic encephalopathy, and anemia may cause a positive impact on HRQOL of patients with cirrhosis.