54. Assessment of quality of life in patients with cirrhosis

Abstract

Background and Aims: Cirrhosis may negatively influence the quality of life of patients. Quality of life becomes an important outcome in cirrhotics as an indicator of effective treatment. We aim to evaluate the Health related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with cirrhosis. Methods: Chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ) was used to investigate the quality of life in patients with cirrhosis. The scores for CLDQ ranges from 1 (worst) to 7 (best) in all the six domains. Patients were categorized into Child A (CTP ≤6), Child B (CTP 7–9), Child C (≥10). Osteoporosis (T-score <- 2.5) was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at lumbar spine. Scores of each (six) domain were compared with different variables using independent t-test and one way ANOVA. Results: A total of 164 patients (126 males) were included in this study. The mean CLDQ score is significantly higher in child A patients (4.71 ± 1.08; n = 99) as compared to Child C patients (3.75 ± 1.08; n = 10) (P = 0.02). All the six domains of CLDQ showed significantly lower scores in patients with ascites. Scores of abdominal symptoms and activity domain was lower in Child C patients (3.99 ± 1.53; 3.30 ± 1.43) as compared to Child A (5.08 ± 1.42; 4.89 ± 1.43) [P = 0.04; 0.001], respectively. Statistically significant lower scores of abdominal symptoms (P = 0.04); systemic (P = 0.006) and activity (P = 0.04) domain were observed in patients with osteoporosis (n = 61) as compared to non-osteoporotic patients. Conclusions: Health related quality of life (HRQL) is worse in patients with severe liver disease. Patients with ascites and those with osteoporosis had worst quality of life. The authors have none to declare.