Health-related Quality of Life in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis: A Randomized Study *

Background/Aims: Health -related quality of life (HRQoL) relates to how people perceive illness and treatment affects their physical health, emotional health, functional status, and social position. Along with clinical goals, HRQoL is signi fi cant. Therefore, the present study evaluates the effect of patient counseling and education on HRQoL of cirrhotic patients. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care center of coastal Karnataka, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka from October 2022 with a three-month follow-up. Patients with a con fi rmed diagnosis of liver cirrhosis visiting the outpatient department of age $ 18 were enrolled in the study and divided on the basis of compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. Patients were randomized into two groups i.e., case and control in compensated and decompensated group through the envelop method of randomization. The case group received patient education and counseling along with standard medical therapy. CLDQ was used to evaluate HRQoL scores on baseline and after the third month. Results: A total of 104 patients were enrolled with a mean age of 53.49 +/- 11.25, with most being male (80.7%). Out of 104, 60 and 44 had compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. Case and control groups did not differ signi fi cantly on baseline. However, on follow-up, the compensated group showed signi fi cant improvement in abdominal symptoms, fatigue, and emotional functions. Meanwhile, the decompensated group showed signi fi cant improvement in activity, emotional function, and worry domain of CLDQ. Higher MELD scores were the signi fi cant factor associated with lower HRQoL scores. Conclusion: Patient education and counseling positively impacted the fatigue, emotional, and worry domain of the CLDQ. Hence, the present study recommends making an effort to promote patient counseling and education via lea fl ets or videos. (J C LIN E XP H EPATOL 2024;14:101433)