Predictors of health-related quality of life in outpatients with cirrhosis: results from a prospective cohort.
Background. Cirrhosis may lead to a poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL), which should be taken into consideration when addressing the cirrhotic outpatient. Methods. Prospective cohort study evaluating predictors of HRQOL in outpatients with cirrhosis. Patients with overt hepatic encephalopathy at baseline were excluded. HRQOL was evaluated at baseline using the six point Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire. Predictors of low quality of life scores (<4 points) and mortality were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Results. In total, 92 patients were included (mean age 61 years, 59% male). Nineteen patients died (mean duration of follow-up 20 months). The mean Child-Pugh score was 6.9. Twenty percent had a poor HRQOL judged by the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire score and 45% had covert hepatic encephalopathy. The only predictors of poor HRQOL were the Child-Pugh score (β=0.45;P = 0.013), nonalcoholic etiology of cirrhosis (β=-2.34;P = 0.009), and body mass index (β=-0.20;P = 0.023). The body mass index predicted poor HRQOL independently of the presence of ascites and albumin level. Conclusions. The body mass index was associated with a low HRQOL. This suggests that malnutrition may be an important target in the management of patients with cirrhosis.
Department of Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Koge, 4600 Koege, Denmark ; Department of Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark ; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark.
Maja
M
Thiele
Department of Hepatology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Gro
G
Askgaard
Department of Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Glostrup, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark.
Hans B
HB
Timm
Department of Hepatology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Ole
O
Hamberg
Department of Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark ; Gastrounit, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark.
Lise L
LL
Gluud