Reduced Quality of Life in patients with chronic hepatitis C: effects of interferon treatment

Background. Quality of life is an area of increasing interest in hepatology . Studies, so far, have assessed quality of life in patients with chronic V irus C-related hepatitis in relation to antiviral therapy by means of gener ic questionnaires. Aim. To measure quality of life in chronic hepatitis patients without cirrh osis by means of the Nottingham Health Profile questionnaire, a measure of "distress" in comparison with the Medical Outcome Survey SF-36, an index of well-being. Patients. A series of 126 outpatients with chronic hepatitis; 37 on and 89 not on active interferon treatment. Methods. The two questionnaires were used in random order. Clinical and lab oratory data were also collected. The final score of any domain of the two questionnaires, for any individual patient, was compared to age-adjusted no rmal values obtained in 2 random samples of Italian population. Results. Patients showed a significant modification of 3 domains of Notting ham Health Profile (Energy, Social Isolation and Physical Mobility) and 6 d omains of SF-36. In relation to interferon treatment, the Nottingham Health Profile questionnaire was able to detect differences in Energy, Physical M obility and Pain, which were modified only in treated patients. SF-36 did n ot show any differences in relation to treatment. In addition, the Nottingh am Health Profile demonstrated that treated patients had a lower prevalence of concern for family life, possibly due to expectations of treatment itse lf. Conclusions. Active interferon treatment causes considerable distress in ch ronic hepatitis 6 patients, adding to the perceived change in health status caused by liver disease.