Effects of comprehensive intervention on health-related quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis B in China

Abstract

BackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant global health problem, especially in China. Chronic liver disease affects health related quality of life (HRQOL). The intervention method to improve HRQOL in patients with hepatitis B has been one-dimensional with inconsistent results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of comprehensive intervention on health-related quality of life and provide guidance on improving HRQOL for patients with chronic hepatitis B.MethodsPatients with chronic hepatitis B eligible for our study were randomly selected in three model regions of Jiangsu Province in June 2010. 272 patients were invited and 254 took part, with a refusal rate of 6.62%. Comprehensive intervention included government support, technical guidance from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, standardised medical care, and community involvement. HRQOL before and 1 year after intervention was measured with the Short Form 36 and HBV-specific health surveys. Chi-square test, t-test and multiple linear regressive analyses were used.ResultsAfter comprehensive intervention, the HRQOL in patients with chronic hepatitis B showed significantly improvements in bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, and mental, as well as physical and mental component score (p < 0.05). Family and social support increased, and financial concerns decreased (p < 0.05). Marital status, duration of illness-related absence from work, education level, family financial status, and health insurance type were important factors affecting HRQOL change between the baseline and final assessment in patients with chronic hepatitis B.ConclusionThe comprehensive intervention was effective in improving the HRQOL of patients with chronic hepatitis B.Trial registrationChiCTR-OCH-12001882

Coeliac disease: the association between quality of life and social support network participation

“…As Taylor et al (15) also noted, the use of face-to-face social support and connection with trained healthcare providers may be vital to overall QOL and GFD compliance. From this and other research (15,19,20) , it appears that practice recommendations for individuals with CD should include referrals to a coeliac support group and a coeliac specialist dietitian, as well as planned continued care and monitoring.…”

“…Several studies have shown a positive association of face‐to‐face support groups on QOL in individuals with various medical conditions, albeit none on CD. There have also been multiple studies on the use and efficacy of face‐to‐face support group participation in the treatment and survivorship of various types of cancer patients.…”

“…They proposed that the connection with a trained healthcare provider may be vital to long-term dietary adherence, and increased awareness and understanding in social circles may decrease the feelings of isolation and socialisation anxiety (15) . Several studies have shown a positive association of face-to-face support groups on QOL in individuals with various medical conditions (19,20) , albeit none on CD. There have also been multiple studies on the use and efficacy of face-to-face support group participation in the treatment and survivorship of various types of cancer patients (17,19) .…”

Quality of life and related factors among chronic hepatitis B-infected patients: a multi-center study, Turkey

“…Particularly in some countries, monitoring HRQOL in chronic hepatitis C patients has become a standard procedure [4]. Similarly, the awareness of the importance of HRQOL assessment in CHB has increased [5–12]. Unfortunately, based on the results obtained from a healthy population, some results point to a decrease in quality of life in CHB patients [5].…”

Effects of antiviral therapy on the cellular immune response in patients with chronic hepatitis B

“…CHB can result in a wide spectrum of liver diseases, including CHB, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (1). Although HBV is noncytopathic, it is generally accepted that the outcome of HBV infection is mediated by the host immune response to HBV rather than the virus itself (2).…”