Quality of life correlation with socioeconomic status in Korean hepatitis-B patients: a cross sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundIn Korea, more than two-thirds of hepatocellular carcinoma patients are hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen-seropositive. The effects of HBV infection on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are important aspects in the overall management of HBV infection. However, other effects of other parameters on HBV patient HRQoL remain unknown and require clarification. Our study evaluated HRQoL in hepatitis-B patients, according to socioeconomic status.MethodsWe used community health survey data to analyze the relationship between HRQoL of HBV+ patients according to socioeconomic status. We used propensity score matching (Ratio = 1:5) to balancing the patients and general population. Final analytic sample consisted of 7,098 hepatitis B patients and compared group (35,490 general populations). We examined the HRQoL in HBV+ patients (n = 7,098), stratified by socioeconomic status, compared with general populations, using the EuroQOL visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) and EQ-5D questionnaires. We used the Chi-square test and ANOVA to compare demographic variables. Multiple linear regression analysis identified associations between demographic variables and HRQoL.ResultsParticipants with hepatitis B numbered 7,098 (16.7 %) of the study population. HRQoL was lower in hepatitis-B patients compared to the general population (EQ-VAS: −0.985, p = 0.0004; EQ-5D: −0.673, p = 0.0003). According to occupation type, clerks (EQ-VAS: −2.628, p = 0.0030; EQ-5D: −0.802, p = 0.0099) and managers and professionals (EQ-VAS: −1.518, p = 0.0356) had the lowest HRQoLs. Higher family income and education level groups had lower HRQoLs compared to the general population.ConclusionsPatients from higher socioeconomic status groups had HRQoLs that were more affected by hepatitis B. Thus, we require more accurate information about the disease to develop appropriate patient management guidelines. This will facilitate formulating policies and management strategies that alleviate HRQoL declines in HBV+ patients.

Patient‐reported outcomes in a large North American cohort living with chronic hepatitis B virus: a cross‐sectional analysis

“…Decrements in HRQoL are often associated with liver disease severity, such that patients with compensated or decompensated cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma tend to have worse HRQoL . However, it is less clear whether patients with chronic HBV infection without cirrhosis or cancer have worse HRQoL compared to the general population . Studies have also inadequately accounted for different phenotypes of chronic hepatitis B, such as subgroups who are immune tolerant, have active disease or are inactive HBsAg carriers .…”

Assessment of factors affecting and causing Hepatitis B in Balochistan-Pakistan

“…Also, education was significantly negatively correlated to Hepatitis B. Educated individuals tend to have more awareness comparatively better than un-educated individuals and having better understandings of living in a healthy and clean environment [13].…”

Comparison of the health-related quality of life of community dwelling patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the general population

“…Moreover, their EQ-5D overall subjective health scores were low, and many respondents reported having severe problems in all EQ-5D domains (mobility, selfcare, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression). However, we used PSM to control for variables that can affect HRQoL, such as age [17], gender [18], education level [19], household income level [20], marital status [21], BMI [22], current smoking [23], and alcohol consumption [24]. There was no difference between the HRQoL of the COPD and non-COPD groups after adjusting for these variables.…”