A new insight into the differences among non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic patients using the liver disease quality of life instrument (LDQOL)

Abstract

Our aims were to validate the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Liver Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire instrument (LDQOL1.0) and evaluate this tool in non-cirrhotic patients. Methods: The LDQOL1.0 consists of the SF-36 generic measure of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and 12 disease-specific dimensions for patients with liver disease. The Brazilian Portuguese version instrument was administered to 103 patients with liver disease. Reliability was analyzed by studying the internal consistency of the individual disease-specific dimensions of the LDQOL, as well as by studying the test-retest reliability in a sub-group of 74 patients who completed the questionnaire on two occasions 1 to 2 weeks apart. Validity was analyzed by determining the instrument’s ability to discriminate between groups of patients according to severity of the liver disease. Results: Internal consistency in the disease-specific dimensions was good (CACs 0.66-0.94), as well as test-retest reliability in all dimensions (ICCs of 0.64-0.96) p < 0.05. We found statistically significant differences in six domains when compensated cirrhotic patients, Child A, were compared with non-cirrhotic patients. We also found statistically significant differences when we compared cirrhotic patients evaluated assessed by Child-Pugh and Meld classifications. Patients with Child C and Meld ≥ 15 showed worse quality of life. Moderate ceiling and floor effects were found in some disease-specific dimensions. In Conclusions: the Brazilian Portuguese version of the LDQOL 1.0 is very useful for measuring HRQOL in liver diseases.