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Abstract
Objectives:To document improvement in quality of life in patients with Hepatitis-C related cirrhosis after successful eradication of the virus.Methods:In this observational cohort study conducted at Fatima Memorial Hospital from September 2015 to July 2017, patients with HCV were assessed for improvement in quality of life by using FACIT-F questionnaire. We compared the Quality of life (QOL) score before the start of treatment with DAAs and after achieving SVR12 in various aspects of quality of life including physical, emotional, functional and social well-being.Results:A total of 71 patients, 52 (73%) were CTP class A, 18 (25%) in B and one (1.4%) in C. The mean score of QOL before AVT was 23.93±7.04 and after achieving SVR it was 36.83±6.36 (P-value <0.001). In the subcategories, score of functional wellbeing, physical well-being and social wellbeing were significantly improved except emotional wellbeing scores. All scores improved across the spectrum of patients in the CTP class A and B. There was only one patient in the CTP-C class.Conclusion:Chronic HCV infection complicated by cirrhosis causes a significant decline in quality of life. There was a marked improvement in the functional, social and physical health of the patients after eradication of Hepatitis-C with anti-viral therapy except emotional health of the individuals.
Highlights
In our study we used the FACIT-F generic core questionnaire to assess the functional, physical, emotional and social wellbeing of cirrhotic patients before and after successful eradication of HCV, which is used in previous studies.[10]
We compared the quality of life score before the start of treatment with direct acting antivirals (DAAs) and after achieving SVR12
Out of a total of 71 patients, the mean Quality of life score before DAAs treatment was 23.93±7.04 which increased to 36.83±6.36 after achievement of SVR (P-value
Summary
According to WHO estimates, there were 71 million persons living with HCV infection worldwide in 2015 accounting for 1% of the world’s population.[1]. An estimated 6.8% of the general population is infected with HCV in Pakistan and genotype 3a is most predominant genotype.[2,3]. Poorer quality of life has been observed in patients with advanced cirrhosis especially in terms of physical and functional well-being.[5]. Most of the literature on outcomes of treatment of HCV is focused on liver function, mortality, or incidence of life-threatening complications. Physical, functional and social wellbeing and any improvement thereof has not been addressed adequately in the previous studies. There is some evidence to suggest improvement in quality of life in patients who achieve SVR with direct acting antivirals (DAAs).[8,9]. In our study we used the FACIT-F generic core questionnaire to assess the functional, physical, emotional and social wellbeing of cirrhotic patients before and after successful eradication of HCV, which is used in previous studies.[10] There is some evidence to suggest improvement in quality of life in patients who achieve SVR with direct acting antivirals (DAAs).[8,9] In our study we used the FACIT-F generic core questionnaire to assess the functional, physical, emotional and social wellbeing of cirrhotic patients before and after successful eradication of HCV, which is used in previous studies.[10]
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