Is there an association between Health Related Quality of Life, socio-demographic status and Fatigue in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B?

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a serious and prevalent disease which may negatively influence health related quality of life (HRQOL) and fatigue. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between demographic variables, HRQOL, and fatigue.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 418 Iranian patients with CHB (average age 44.1 years, majority males). Participants completed a multidimensional fatigue inventory, chronic liver disease questionnaire, Euro quality of life-five dimensions questionnaire, and demographic information. Bivariate analyses were conducted using the Spearman correlation and Mann-Whitney U test. Hierarchical logistic regression modeling identified independent predictors of fatigue.

RESULTS: The most prevalent problems related to HRQOL were anxiety/depression and pain/discomfort. Except for reduced motivation other dimensions of fatigue were significantly higher among those with CHB compared to healthy controls (p<0.05). Age, sex, education, employment, disease stage and all HRQOL subscales were significantly related to fatigue level. The Nagelkerke R Square for the logistic regression model was 0.542.

CONCLUSIONS: Poor HRQOL and fatigue are widespread among patients with CHB. Given these associations between demographic, psychological, and other HRQOL dimensions and fatigue, interventions that address these factors may help to reduce fatigue in patients with CHB.