Investigation of the health related quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Objective To evaluate the health related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with chronic hepatitis C(CHC) and the improvement after interferon therapy. Methods Using the SF 36 questionnaire and the hepatitis specific scale derived from the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS), the HRQOL in 67 non cirrhotic patients with chronic HCV infection were evaluated, 38 patients of which were treated with IFN ?2a 3MU( n=31) and CIFN 15 ?g ( n =7), three times a week for 6 months. 12 patients had a sustained viral response (undetectable serum HCV RNA and normal ALT level at 24 weeks post treatment) to interferon therapy. 26 patients had no response. Live biopsies were performed in 23 patients and the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis proved. These scales were self administered by patients at baseline and at 24 weeks post treatment. Patients with chronic hepatitis C were compared with healthy volunteers ( n =40) who were selected as normal controls, the age, sex, education profession were matched between them. Results Compared with healthy controls, patients with chronic hepatitis C at baseline had lower HRQOL on all eight scales of the SF 36 ( P