Quality of life in chronic hepatitis B and C patients

Chronic hepatitis B and C are prevalent diseases, especially in developing countries. In many of the patients they cause limitations in physical and mental functions and finally cause reduction in their life quality. We wanted to assess the quality of life in these patients. This research was done on 74 chronic hepatitis B and C patients of Rasht which their diseases were confirmed by serologic and histologic methods and their hepatic enzymes including AST and ALT was two times more than normal range for at least 6 months. Cross-sectional questionnaire survey performed in October 2003 till Jully 2004 in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center of Rasht [north city of Iran], Razi hospital. The questionnaires consisted of 29 questions that were given to the patients and they were let free to complete it. The individuals under survey consisted of 15 [20.27%] chronic hepatitis B patients and 59 [79.72%] chronic hepatitis C patients. 54 [72.79%] ones were male and 20 [27.02%] were female. Total adjusted score [up to 100 points] of life quality was 54.4 +/- 22.5. No meaningful difference was seen between two sexes based on total score of life quality. Also, in different fields of life quality no significant difference was seen between two genders, except the systemic signs that the average of adjusted score of females [43 +/- 28] was less than males [63 +/- 27] that means meaningful statistical difference [P < 0.007]. Generally, it seems that chronic hepatitis B and C have untoward life qualities which could result from concern of decrease of social support or fear of society or decrease in patronage of the family or friends and it is mandate to be concerned when furnishing services to these patients

Efficacy of Lamivudine therapy on decompensated liver cirrhosis due to chronic hepatitis B

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of lamivudine on liver function and clinical status of the patients with decompensated cirrhosis arising from hepatitis B virus [HBV]. In a clinical trial on the basis of liver consideration in 55 patients with cirrhosis that had positive HBsAg and HBV DNA, Child-Pugh score more than 8 and some other criteria were treated with lamivudine. In these patients, serum level of bilirubin, albumin, ALT, AST and also the PT-INR were controlled at the beginning of study and then at intervals of 2 to 6 months and finally 12 months after the start of treatment. Five patients died in the first 6 months of treatments. The following results are related to 50 patients being under treatment with lamivudine at least for a period of 6 months. In these patients mean Child-Pugh score was decreased from 11 +/- 2 to 7 +/- 1 [P < 0.0001]. All of the patients tolerated this drug very well. Lamivudine can be effective in improvement of liver function in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis resulting from HBV, but for determination of proper period of treatment, further studies are necessary