Psychological Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease

Background: The negative impact of chronic liver disease on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) has long been established, and treatable physiological or psychological factors may potentially influence HRQoL. Objective: The authors assessed the interrelationships of multiple psychological factors and HRQoL in patients with CLD. Method: Both direct and indirect relationships among HRQoL, depression, anxiety, coping, and self-efficacy in 164 patients with CLD were assessed. Results: Depression, largely determined by low self-efficacy and, possibly, by use of maladaptive coping strategies, influenced HRQoL in three groups of liver patients. Conclusion: HRQoL in CLD patients may be positively affected by enhancing coping and self-efficacy skills, thus improving levels of depression. (Psychosomatics 2010; 51:157-165)