Psychological status and depression in patients with liver cirrhosis

Previous studies reported an impairment of both the physical and mental dimensions of quality of life in patients with cirrhosis. Very few data are available on the psychological impact of the disease and its relation to liver function.

To measure the psychological status of patients with cirrhosis in relation to the severity of the liver impairment.

One hundred and fifty-six patients with cirrhosis were studied. Two questionnaires (the Beck Depression Inventory and the Psychological General Well-Being Index) were self-administered in random order. Clinical and laboratory data were collected using standardised forms.

The global score of Psychological General Well-Being Index was severely reduced compared to Italian population norm. Among individual domains, the more severely affected was General Health, the less compromised was Positive Well-Being. A negative relation was found between Child-Pugh score (a comprehensive measure of disease severity) and global Psychological General Well-Being Index and several individual subscales. The Beck Depression Inventory scores were indicative of a depressed mood in over 50% of patients, in relation to the presence of clinical symptoms.

Patients with cirrhosis have signs of psychological distress and depression, as assessed by Beck Depression Inventory and Psychological General Well-Being Index, in relation to the severity of liver disease. Accordingly, a non-negligible number of patients warrant treatment.