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Does cirrhosis affect quality of life in hepatitis C virus-infected patients?

Priscilla C Hsu1, Mel Krajden, Eric M Yoshida

  • 1British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Liver International : Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver
|March 10, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection impacts quality of life (QOL). Sociodemographic factors like income and marital status, along with comorbidities, significantly influence QOL more than HCV disease stage.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Public Health
  • Health Economics

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of chronic liver disease.
  • HCV significantly impairs patients' health-related quality of life (QOL).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate QOL in patients with chronic HCV infection across different disease stages (non-cirrhotic, compensated, and decompensated cirrhotic).
  • To compare QOL using preference-based (utilities) and non-preference-based methods.

Main Methods:

  • 271 patients completed the Health Utility Index (Mark 2 and Mark 3) and Hepatitis Quality of Life Questionnaire.
  • QOL scores were compared across HCV disease stages and sociodemographic factors.
  • Linear regression and propensity score methods were used to analyze associations between QOL, disease stage, and other factors.

Main Results:

  • Mean utility scores were lower than general population norms across all HCV disease stages.
  • No significant association was found between HCV disease stage and current health status utility.
  • Higher income, fewer comorbidities, and stable marital status were linked to better QOL and higher utility scores.

Conclusions:

  • HCV disease stage has a minimal impact on QOL.
  • Comorbidities, income, and marital status are stronger determinants of QOL in HCV patients than disease progression.
Abstract

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