Hepatic Encephalopathy and Quality of Life of Patients With Viral Cirrhosis of the Liver

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of hepatic encephalopathy on the quality of life of patients with cirrhosis of the liver in the outcome of chronic hepatitis C.

Object and methods of research. A simultaneous study of hepatic encephalopathy and quality of life indicators was conducted in 61 patients with cirrhosis of the liver in the outcome of chronic hepatitis C (33 men and 28 women; age 46 (37; 55) years). The degree of hepatic encephalopathy was determined by the psychometric test of the connection of numbers according to Reitan. The SF-36 questionnaire was used to study the quality of life.

Results. The quality of life worsens, and hepatic encephalopathy increases with the progression of the functional class of viral cirrhosis of the liver. Hepatic encephalopathy affects the indicators of the "psychological component of health" (SF-36) in patients with viral cirrhosis of the liver of class B and C, p < 0.01. There is no correlation between hepatic encephalopathy and the "physical component of health" (SF-36) of patients in this category, p > 0.05.

Conclusion. One of the main mechanisms for reducing the quality of life of patients with viral cirrhosis of the liver is the significant effect of hepatic encephalopathy in this category of patients on the "psychological component of health" (SF-36).