Objective. To study the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and mode of acquisition, treatment discontinuations, drop in haemoglobin levels and treatment outcome in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Material and methods. Consecutive unselected Swedish patients with CHC completed the SF-36 questionnaire before, during and after treatment with interferon and ribavirin. Results. At baseline, HRQOL was reduced in all SF-36 subscales in our patients (n = 147) as compared with the general Swedish population. Former intravenous drug users (IVDUs) scored significantly lower in social function (p = 0.03) and mental health (p = 0.03) than patients who had acquired their infection from blood transfusions (PTH). A decline of > 40 points in HRQOL from baseline to week 12 was noticed in the role limitations-physical (RP) score for the IVDU and PTHgroups (p < 0.0001 and 0.001, respectively). Patients with a ≥20%fall in haemoglobin levels at treatment week 12 had a significantly poorer RP (p = 0.006) and role limitations-emotional score (p < 0.02) than patients with a < 10%fall. Early treatment dropouts had significantly lower HRQOL scores at baseline than adherent patients. At follow-up, sustained viral responders had significantly higher scores than non-responders. Conclusions. Swedish outpatients with CHC have a marked reduction in their HRQOL as compared to the general population. Therapy reduces HRQOL most substantially in those with a marked reduction in haemoglobin. Early dropouts from therapy have significantly lower HRQOL scores at baseline than adherent patients, and sustained viral responders improve their HRQOL significantly more than nonresponders.
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