Assessment of quality of life among hepatitis C patients hospital based study

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the quality of life [QOL] and factors impaired among 165 HCV patients admitted to Zagazig University Hospitals. Data were collected via a questionnaire included the patients' socio demographic characteristics, medical history about HCV infection. A standard short form 36 questionnaire [SF36] was used to assess their quality of life. The results showed that all QOL domains were reduced, the most affected domain was the role limitation attributed to physical problems [88.5%], while the least affected one was the mental health domain [26.7%]. The study revealed that the patients' age negatively affected 3 domains [fatigue and tiredness, mental health and perception of pain]. The workers and male patients were affected in 3 domains [physical functioning, role limitation attributed to emotional problems and perception of pain] than others. QOL of highly educated patients were more impaired in physical functioning and role limitation attributed to physical and emotional problems. The patients with insufficient income recorded lower score in mental health domain only. The majority [78.8%] of the patients had bad QOL