A Cross-Sectional Study on the Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease at Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Background

Patients with Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) had large numbers of symptoms which affect their life activities and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Quality of life measures cover a wide range of aspects of life that can be adversely affected by ill health, such as physical functioning, emotional well-being and ability to undertake work and social activities. The main aim of the study was to assess the health-related quality of life in patients with chronic liver disease with the help of CLDQ.

Materials and Methods

An observational, Cross-sectional Study was conducted in Department of General Medicine, Dhiraj General Hospital which includes patients, 18-65 years of age clinically diagnosed with CLD. CLDQ (Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire) scale was used to assess the Quality of Life.

Results

For all domains of CLDQ, the HRQoL (Health Related Quality of Life) declined significantly with worsening of disease severity. HRQoL scores of CLDQ domains like abdominal symptoms and fatigue were also more declined in viral hepatitis patients, abdominal symptoms and activity were also more declined in alcoholic and fatigue and activity were also more declined in non-alcoholic patients.

Conclusion

In our study it was found that chronic liver disease significantly reduces HRQL, and this impact differ by age, gender and severity of disease. Impairment of HRQoL does not differ by type of disease.