Factors Associated With Longitudinal QOL Change in Patients With Chronic Liver Diseases

Abstract

Aim: To examine the relationship between longitudinal quality of life (QOL) change, as assessed by the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), sarcopenia-related factors and body composition in patients with chronic liver diseases (CLDs).

Patients and methods: Data from patients with CLDs (n=184) were retrospectively analyzed, focusing on factors associated with the difference of physical and mental component summary score (PCS and MCS) in SF-36 between the two visits (Δ_PCS and Δ_MCS). The difference of serum albumin level, body mass index (BMI), arm circumference, arm muscle circumference, grip strength (GS), skeletal muscle index, extracellular to total body water ratio between the two visits were included into the multiple regression analysis.

Results: Δ_albumin (p=0.0325) and Δ_GS (p<0.0001) were independent factors linked to Δ_PCS Δ_albumin (p=0.0005) and Δ_BMI (p=0.0232) were independent factors linked to Δ_MCS Conclusion: Significance of serum albumin level, muscle strength and body composition on health-related QOL in CLD patients should be emphasized.

Keywords: Chronic liver disease; QOL; SF-36; body composition; muscle strength.