Hepatitis C virus infection and health-related quality of life |
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Authors: | Amodio Piero Salari Laura Montagnese Sara Schiff Sami Neri Daniele Bianco Tonino Minazzato Lina |
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Institution: | Piero Amodio, Sara Montagnese, Sami Schiff, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy;Laura Salari, Tonino Bianco, Lina Minazzato, Unit of Algology, University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy;Daniele Neri, Unit of Hepatobiliary Surgery, University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy |
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Abstract: | Hepatitis C virus (HCV) hepatitis and other diseases related to HCV, such as cryoglobulinemia, lymphoma and renal failure, impair health-related quality of life (HRQoL). In addition, HCV per se might directly influence HRQoL via colonization of microglia in the brain or, indirectly, via the effect of systemic inflammatory cytokines which, in turn, can trigger brain interleukin production. The treatment of HCV-related disorders with interferon (IFN) has an effect on HRQoL. Initially, IFN causes a transient deterioration of HRQoL, due to the induction of depression and other side effects of treatment. Subsequently, the subjects who obtain a sustained virologic response experience an improvement in HRQoL. Only rarely does interferon treatment causes permanent detrimental effects on HRQoL, due to residual psychiatric or neurologic side effects. Liver transplantation is the only treatment for end-stage HCV-related liver disease. HRQoL generally improves massively a few months after transplantation, except in the case of serious complications of the transplant procedure. Furthermore, high levels of anxiety and neuroticism pre-transplant are associated with lower HRQoL one year after transplant. Additionally, six months after transplant, patients with HCV who experience virologic recurrence show significantly greater depression, anxiety, phobic anxiety, and paranoid ideation than anti-HCV-negative patients. In conclusion, optimal care for the overall well-being of patients with HCV infection requires adequate knowledge of their neurological and psychological status. |
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Keywords: | Hepatitis C virus Quality of life Transplantation Hepatitis Cirrhosis |
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