Psychological well‐being and quality of life in women with an iatrogenic hepatitis C virus infection

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study documents psychological well-being, mental health and quality of life in a group of women diagnosed with an iatrogenic hepatitis C (HCV) infection and examines the relationship between HCV RNA status and adjustment to their illness. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design was used. METHOD: Psychological well-being, mental health and quality of life were assessed in a consecutive clinical sample of 93 women who were anti-HCV positive (ELISA, third generation). Of these, 33 had a self-limiting HCV infection (HCV RNA negative), whereas 60 had chronic HCV infection (HCV RNA positive). RESULTS: Overall, psychological well-being and mental health were diminished in all women and were best predicted by their level of social functioning, which accounted for between 42% and 57% of the variance. When comparing women with chronic HCV infection and those with a self-limiting HCV infection, no differences were detected in quality of life and no association was found between HCV RNA status and a clinical diagnosis of depression or anxiety. Furthermore, no significant differences were demonstrated in HCV RNA positive women when compared according to liver histology on all measures. CONCLUSION: In both HCV RNA positive and HCV RNA negative women, high levels of psychological distress and impaired quality of life were found. Impairments were not related to HCV RNA status or liver histology.

Impact of hepatitis C on health related quality of life: A systematic review and quantitative assessment

“…Similarly, Coughlan et al detected no significant HRQOL differ- ence in patients with a Ͻ3 Knodell score versus Ͼ4 Knodell score following treatment for HCV. 36 The crosssectional mean HRQOL differences ranged from Ϫ1.8 in role-physical (suggesting a unexpectedly higher HRQOL in patients with worse histological activity) to 2.2 in vitality.…”

“…Only 2 studies reported cross-sectional mean HRQOL score differences stratified by SVR. 36,37 The largest mean difference was in the physical function scale (11.1), followed by mental health (7.7) and social functioning (7.5).…”

“…We identified 9 studies that measured HRQOL stratified by SVR (Table 4). 8,[31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] HRQOL Score Differences: Seven studies measured HRQOL DID scores (see equation [2] in Technical Appendix) stratified by SVR status (Table 3). 8,[31][32][33][34][35]38 The largest DID score was in the role-physical scale (weighted mean ϭ 10.4), followed by role-emotional (7.5), general health (7.1), and vitality (6.6).…”

“…[32][33][34][35][36]38 Two studies presented cross-sectional ES data 36,37 and 4 presented longitudinal data. [32][33][34][35] Consistent with the DID scores, the impact of SVR was most pronounced on the role-physical and general health scales (mean weighed ES ϭ 0.4), followed by vitality, physical function, and social function (0.3 for latter 3 scales).…”

“…5,8,15,36,42 Histological Activity Anchors: Two studies stratified HRQOL by histological anchors. 8,36 McHutchison et al found no significant difference in HRQOL in patients with a Ͼ5 point change in Knodell score (a histologically important change in disease activity) versus no change in Knodell score. 8 The HRQOL DID scores ranged from 0.5 in physical function to 2.4 in vitality.…”