Analysis of Health-Related Quality of Life and Its Influencing Factors Among Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Hangzhou, China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and related factors in Hangzhou, China, in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: The Chinese version of the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire was employed to assess HRQOL in 594 patients. A standardized questionnaire was employed to gather data regarding demographics, clinical characteristics, and lifestyle. This study employed Tobit regression models alongside multiple linear regression to examine the components influencing HRQOL, encompassing utility values and the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). Results: This study included 594 participants with a mean age of 42.03 ± 13.83 years. The median utility index was 0.951 (P25-P75: 0.934-1.000), and the median EQ-VAS score was 76 (P25-P75: 66-82). Anxiety and depression were the predominant entry (31.9%) among the five health dimensions. Tobit regression models indicated that retirement (P = 0.011), monthly income >6000 (P = 0.002), alcohol consumption (P = 0.012), low-intensity activity (P = 0.002), obesity (P = 0.004), and cirrhosis (P = 0.038) were correlated with diminished HRQOL. The outcomes of multiple linear regression analyses indicated that regular exercise (β = 3.200; P = 0.003) and alcohol consumption (β = 2.466; P = 0.049) exhibited significant positive correlations with EQ-VAS scores, whereas obesity (β = -4.259; P = 0.005) and severe hepatic steatosis (β = -3.912; P = 0.036) demonstrated significant negative correlations. Conclusions: The anxiety/depression dimension was the most prevalent problem. The current investigation identified a notable correlation between HRQOL and low-intensity activity, obesity, and cirrhosis. Obesity and severe hepatic steatosis exhibited a substantial negative correlation with the EQ-VAS score. Future efforts should focus on enhancing the mental health and lifestyle of NAFLD patients.