Long-term effects of treatment and response in patients with chronic hepatitis C on quality of life

Abstract Background Hepatitis C decreases health related quality of life (HRQL) which is further diminished by antiviral therapy. HRQL improves after successful treatment. This trial explores the course of and factors associated with HRQL in patients given individualized or standard treatment based on early treatment response (Ditto-study). Methods The Short Form (SF)-36 Health Survey was administered at baseline (n = 192) and 24 weeks after the end of therapy (n = 128). Results At baseline HRQL was influenced by age, participating center, severity of liver disease and income. Exploring the course of HRQL (scores at follow up minus baseline), only the dimension general health increased. In this dimension patients with a relapse or sustained response differed from non-responders. Men and women differed in the dimension bodily pain. Treatment schedule did not influence the course of HRQL. Conclusions Main determinants of HRQL were severity of liver disease, age, gender, participating center and response to treatment. Our results do not exclude a more profound negative impact of individualized treatment compared to standard, possibly caused by higher doses and extended treatment duration in the individualized group. Antiviral therapy might have a more intense and more prolonged negative impact on females.

van Gool, Arthur R (author)
Verheij-Hart, Elke (author)
Hansen, Bettina E (author)
Lurie, Yoav (author)
Esteban, Juan I (author)
Lagging, Martin,1965Gothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Institutionen för biomedicin, avdelningen för infektionssjukdomar,Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Infectious Medicine(Swepub:gu)xlagma (author)
Negro, Francesco (author)
Zeuzem, Stefan (author)
Ferrari, Carlo (author)
Pawlotsky, Jean-Michel (author)
Neumann, Avidan U (author)
Schalm, Solko W (author)
de Knegt, Robert J (author)
Göteborgs universitetInstitutionen för biomedicin, avdelningen för infektionssjukdomar (creator_code:org_t)

By the author/editor: Bezemer, Geert; van Gool, Arthur ...; Verheij-Hart, El ...; Hansen, Bettina ...; Lurie, Yoav; Esteban, Juan I; show more...; Lagging, Martin, ...; Negro, Francesco; Zeuzem, Stefan; Ferrari, Carlo; Pawlotsky, Jean- ...; Neumann, Avidan ...; Schalm, Solko W; de Knegt, Robert ...; show less...

About the subject

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES: MEDICAL AND HEAL ...; and Clinical Medicin ...; and Infectious Medic ...

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