Impact of cardiac dysfunction on health-related quality of life in cirrhotic liver transplant candidates

• Objective Cardiac dysfunction, in particular left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, is common in cirrhosis. We aimed to investigate the impact of cardiac dysfunction on health-related quality of life (QoL) in liver cirrhosis. Materials and methods A total of 88 cirrhotic liver transplant candidates with an available echocardiogram and ECG completed the Short form-36 (SF-36) and Fatigue Impact Scale. In a subgroup of 61 patients, levels of cardiac biomarkers, in particular serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, adiponectin, and high-sensitive troponin T, were also measured. Results Although left ventricular systolic diameter was related to a lower SF-36 physical component summary, neither left ventricular diastolic dysfunction nor any other echocardiographic feature was found to be associated with any other SF-36 or Fatigue Impact Scale domain (P>0.05 for all). On linear regression analysis after adjustment for confounders, a prolonged QTc interval was found to be related to a lower SF-36 mental component summary score (beta = -9.7, P = 0.009) and increased physical fatigue (beta = 10.5, P= 0.004). Neither serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity troponin T, nor adiponectin levels were found to be related to QoL (P> 0.05 for all). Serum adiponectin levels did not differ among patients with versus those without echocardiographic cardiac alterations (P> 0.05 for all). Conclusion A prolonged QTc interval, but not any echocardiographic abnormalities or cardiac biomarkers, seems to be predictive of QoL in cirrhosis.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

cirrhotic cardiomyopathy

fatigue

health-related quality of life

left ventricular diastolic dysfunction

VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION

PRIMARY BILIARY-CIRRHOSIS

HEART-FAILURE

NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE

ADIPONECTIN

DISEASE

FATIGUE

CARDIOMYOPATHY

ASSOCIATIONS

POPULATION

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)