Health-related quality of life in HCV-infected patients

Groessl, Erik J.; Weingart, Kimberly; Kaplan, Robert M.; Ho, Samuel B.

doi:10.1007/s11901-007-0020-9

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Information and education about HCV are also currently available to VA patients nationwide through a patient Website 43 . Consistent with prior studies, 26,27,30 health-related quality of life was impacted in a number of ways including physical symptoms, psychological symptoms, and impaired occupational functioning 45 . The experience of fatigue was common, but it was often unclear how much of the fatigue was due to HCV versus normal aging or lifestyle (substance use, diet, depression).…”

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confidence: 80%

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Living with Hepatitis C: Qualitative Interviews with Hepatitis C-infected Veterans

et al. 2008

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BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection affects millions of people in the USA and prevalence rates are higher in US veterans. The consequences of HCV infection include reduced quality of life, liver damage, and reduced longevity. OBJECTIVE:Our objective was to describe the experiences of US veterans living with chronic HCV infection and use this information in the development of an HCV self-management intervention.METHODS: Twenty-two male HCV-infected veterans completed qualitative interviews. Participants were recruited via flyers and hepatitis C clinic providers at a major VA medical center. Participants were asked about their medical history, being diagnosed with HCV, and general experiences living with HCV. RESULTS:The study gathered the following findings: the impact of HCV on interpersonal relationships was pronounced, recovery from substance use disorders and getting care for HCV were connected, receiving the HCV diagnosis was more troubling to non-IV drug users, participants had misconceptions about HCV and its treatment, psychological problems were prevalent as were barriers to participating in antiviral treatment and HCV care in general. CONCLUSION:The themes derived from our analysis indicate that affected veterans may benefit from interventions or support to improve HCV-related health education, social/relationship issues, psychological issues, and exploration of the connection between substance use recovery and motivation to get care for HCV infection.

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confidence: 80%

“…Overall, societal costs are projected to be as high as $50 billion over the next decade 6 . In HCV-infected individuals not experiencing severe consequences, healthrelated quality of life is often impacted [7][8][9][10][11]12 . Symptoms include fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss, and functional limitations.…”

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confidence: 99%

Living with Hepatitis C: Qualitative Interviews with Hepatitis C-infected Veterans

et al. 2008

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“…It is well known that reduced QoL scores are common among chronic HCV (Groessl et al, 2007;Spiegel et al, 2005) and HIV-infected patients (Bing et al, 2000;Hays et al, 2000) particularly when compared to healthy controls. Because both mono-infections have been associated with significant declines in QoL, the existence of a dual infection might be expected to lead to further decreases in QoL.…”

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confidence: 99%

Assessment of factors associated with the quality of life of patients living with HIV/HCV co-infection

Pereira

Fialho

2016

J Behav Med

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This study compared the quality of life (QoL) of HIV-infected patients with and without hepatitis C and examined the sociodemographic, HIV-related and psychological symptoms associated with the QoL domains in patients with HIV/HCV co-infection. The sample consisted of 248 HIV/HCV coinfected patients (18-74 years, 81.5% male) and 482 patients only with HIV (24-78 years, 62.7% male). Participants completed the WHOQOL-HIV-Bref questionnaire and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). The HIV/HCV co-infected patients reported significantly lower QoL in all domains, as well as significantly lower scores in 10 of the 17 specific facets. Overall, among the co-infected patients, male gender, employment, combination antiretroviral therapy use and fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms were significantly associated with higher QoL. Symptoms of psychological distress accounted for significant variability in the QoL scores of co-infected patients. These data reinforce the need for tailored interventions to improve the overall well-being of HIV/HCV co-infected patients.

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“…Long-term medical consequences of HCV include cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma [6] and/or the need for liver transplant [7]. In addition, most HCV-infected individuals experience a variety of physical and psychological symptoms, functional limitations and impaired quality of life as a result of having HCV and co-existing chronic health problems [8,9].Treatment with antiviral medications eliminates the virus in many patients [10,11], but lower success rates have been found outside of clinical trials [12]. Nevertheless, the vast majority of patients are either ineligible for treatment, refuse treatment, fail treatment, or treated with watchful waiting [13].…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Long‐term medical consequences of HCV include cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma [6] and/or the need for liver transplant [7]. In addition, most HCV‐infected individuals experience a variety of physical and psychological symptoms, functional limitations and impaired quality of life as a result of having HCV and co‐existing chronic health problems [8,9].…”

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confidence: 99%

The hepatitis C self‐management programme: a randomized controlled trial

Groessl

Weingart

Stepnowsky

et al. 2011

Journal of Viral Hepatitis

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Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection afflicts millions of people worldwide. While antiviral treatments are effective for some patients, many either cannot or choose not to receive antiviral treatment. Education about behavioural changes like alcohol avoidance and symptom management, in contrast, is universally recommended, particularly in HCV-infected persons from disadvantaged groups where liver risk factors are most prevalent. Self-management interventions are one option for fostering improved HCV knowledge and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). One hundred and thirty-two patients with VA with HCV (mean age of 54.6, 95% men, 41% ethnic minority, 83% unmarried, 72% unemployed/disabled, 48% homeless in last 5 years) were randomized to either a 6-week self-management workshop or an information-only intervention. The weekly 2-h self-management sessions were based on cognitive-behavioural principles and were adapted from an existing self-management programme that has been efficacious with other chronic diseases. HCV-specific modules were added. Outcomes including HRQOL, HCV knowledge, self-efficacy, depression, energy and health distress were measured at baseline and 6 weeks later. Data were analysed using ANOVA. When compared to the information-only group, participants attending the self-management workshop improved more on HCV knowledge (P < 0.001), HCV self-efficacy (P = 0.011), and SF-36 energy/vitality (P = 0.040). Similar trends were found for SF-36 physical functioning (P = 0.055) and health distress (P = 0.055). Attending the self-management programme improved disease knowledge and HRQOL 6 weeks later in this disadvantaged population. The intervention can improve the health of people with hepatitis C, independent of antiviral therapy. Future research will study longer-term outcomes, effects on antiviral treatment and costs.

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Health-related quality of life in HCV-infected patients

Cited by 9 publications

References 39 publications

Living with Hepatitis C: Qualitative Interviews with Hepatitis C-infected Veterans

Living with Hepatitis C: Qualitative Interviews with Hepatitis C-infected Veterans

Assessment of factors associated with the quality of life of patients living with HIV/HCV co-infection

The hepatitis C self‐management programme: a randomized controlled trial

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