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Physical and mental quality of life in patients with end-stage liver disease and their informal caregivers
Hansen, Lissi Chang, Michael F. Lee, Christopher S. Hiatt, Shirin Firsick, Evan J. Dieckmann, Nathan F. Lyons, Karen S.
Hansen, Lissi
Chang, Michael F.
Lee, Christopher S.
Hiatt, Shirin
Firsick, Evan J.
Dieckmann, Nathan F.
Lyons, Karen S.
Abstract
Background & Aims
Management of end-stage liver disease (ESLD) has implications for not only patients’ quality of life (QOL), but also their caregivers’. We aimed to identify characteristics of patients with ESLD and their caregivers that are associated with QOL.
Methods
We obtained cross-sectional baseline data from patients and their caregivers (132 dyads; 62% were married or partners), recruited from outpatient hepatology clinics within 2 healthcare centers. Patients were included if their model for end-stage liver disease score was 15 or more; caregivers were identified by the patient as the primary informal caregiver. QOL was measured by the SF-36 and relationship quality using the mutuality scale. We measured uncertainty using the uncertainty in illness scales for patients and caregivers. Multilevel modeling was used to analyze the data.
Results
Refractory ascites was associated with worse physical QOL for patients (unstandardized beta [B], –9.19; standard error [SE], 2.28) and caregivers (B, –5.41; SE, 2.33); history of hepatic encephalopathy was associated with worse patient physical QOL (B, –3.86; SE, 1.65). High levels of uncertainty were associated with worse physical and mental QOL for both members of the dyads; relationship quality was significantly associated with patient mental QOL (B, 2.73; SE, 1.19).
Conclusions
Clinicians and researchers should consider the effects of ESLD on caregivers as well as their patients to optimize the QOL for both.
Keywords
cirrhosis, family members, children, psychologic factor
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Book
Volume
19
Issue
1
Page Range
155-161
Article Number
ACU Department
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as green open access
License
File Access
Open
Controlled
Controlled