1997 Volume 38 Issue 10 Pages 587-595
A cross-sectional survey was undertaken to investigate health related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with chronic liver disease type-C. 491 patients filled out HRQOL questionnaire SF-36 Japanese version, which had been cross-culturally adapted and phychometrically validated. 480 patients were analyzed after patients with hepatic encephalopathy was excluded. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify factor (s) associated with HRQOL scores. Least square means of each category of the relevant factors was compared by multiple comparison; No significant association was observed between pathological classification and all 8 sybscale scores of SF-36.
Significant differences were observed, however, between Childs' A and B in patients with liver cirrhosis, in 6 subscale scores of SF-36. The result suggests that HRQOL as seen by patients could be additional variables to reflect patients' health status, independent of traditional ones such as pathological classification.
