Quality of Life in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Structure and related factors focusing on illness uncertainty

Abstract

AimPatients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have a low quality of life (QOL) and illness uncertainty. This study examined the structure of QOL and associated factors, including illness uncertainty, among individuals with NAFLD.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey was conducted using a self‐administered questionnaire for outpatients with NAFLD. QOL was measured using the Short Form‐8. Dietary habits, physical activity level, illness uncertainty, health locus of control, and knowledge of NAFLD were assessed. Path analysis was used to study the associated factors of QOL and their structure, including uncertainty of disease.ResultsPath analysis of 168 NAFLD patients indicated that a high Physical Component Summary score on the Short Form‐8—representing physical QOL—was predicted by a body mass index <25 kg/m2 and high educational level. A high Mental Component Summary score—representing mental QOL—was predicted by being male, good dietary habits, low illness uncertainty, and presence of consultants. The model showed satisfactory goodness‐of‐fit without being rejected by the chi‐square test (goodness‐of‐fit index = .947, adjusted goodness‐of‐fit index = .917, comparative fit index = .967, root mean square error of approximation = 0.023).ConclusionsNurses need to work closely with NAFLD patients as consultants, providing adequate information about the causes, treatments, and dietary habits, and focusing on the individual's perception of health. This could reduce illness uncertainty and contribute to the improvement of QOL.

Correlations between uncertainty in illness and anxiety, depression and quality of life in patients receiving maintenance haemodialysis: A cross‐sectional study

“…In this study, patients’ anxiety, depression and impaired QoL were correlated with uncertainty in illness, as is exhibited in studies related to other diseases (Chen et al., 2018 ; Ozawa et al., 2021 ; Pahlevan Sharif, 2017 ; Parker et al., 2016 ). Patients receiving MHD tended to appraise uncertainty in illness as a threat giving rise to psychological stress rather than an opportunity (Ahn et al., 2017 ; Chen et al., 2018 ; Parker et al., 2016 ).…”

“…Though many studies concerning patients with cancer, heart disease and other chronic diseases widely reported the association between uncertainty in illness and anxiety, depression and QoL, there were limited studies specific to MHD confirm this relationship in China (Chen et al., 2018 ; Ozawa et al., 2021 ; Pahlevan Sharif, 2017 ). Thus, we hypothesize that patients receiving MHD suffered uncertainty in illness was related to anxiety, depression and QoL positively.…”

The Relationship between Health-Related Fitness and Quality of Life in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

“…In addition to the risk of progression to end-stage liver disease, NAFLD can also impact life quality in many ways in the early stage. It has been reported that demographics, clinical parameters and severity of disease were all related to QoL [ 8 ]. Few studies have explored the influence of health-related fitness on QoL of NAFLD patients.…”

“…Given the accumulating evidence, NAFLD patients experience an impaired QoL, which is significantly lower than the general population [ 40 ] and hepatitis C patients [ 41 ]. Lower QoL of NAFLD has been verified to be related with elder age, female, low income and educational level, obesity, T2DM, fibrosis and cirrhosis, but not affected by liver enzymes or serum albumin [ 8 ]. In our population, the dimensions were also not affected by steatosis severity.…”

“…The prominent manifestation is fatigue, which is not paralleled with liver function [ 7 ]. The determinants of QoL are complex, including disease and treatment, health care provision or psychological variables [ 8 ]. It is well accepted that health-related fitness is closely associated with QoL in the general population [ 9 , 10 ].…”