RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN QUALITY OF LIFE AND AN EDUCATIONAL STRATEGY BASED ON THE INFORMATION NEEDS OF PATIENTS WITH COMPENSATED LIVER CIRRHOSIS

Abstract

Introduction and Objectives

Educational strategies may improve quality of life (QoL) in patients with cirrhosis, yet available evidence remains limited and often not generalizable to Latin American settings. Sociocultural and demographic differences can influence both information needs and determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a locally tailored educational intervention on QoL in patients with compensated cirrhosis and caregiver burden.

Patients and Methods

In this prospective, longitudinal study, adult outpatients with cirrhosis were enrolled. Patients completed the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ), and both patients and caregivers completed PROMs (Patient-Reported Outcome Measures). Caregiver burden was assessed using the Zarit Burden Interview, both before and after the intervention. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic and clinical variables. Paired t-tests assessed changes in CLDQ scores, and univariate linear regression identified predictors of QoL improvement. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Thirty-nine patients were included (64% female; 86% Child-Pugh A). The most frequent etiologies were MASLD (33%) and autoimmune hepatitis (23%). Most belonged to socioeconomic level 2 (41%). Thirty-three caregivers were also included (78.1% female; mean age 50.1±13.7 years). Educational session attendance was 64% for patients and 72% for caregivers.

CLDQ scores increased by 29 points (95% CI: 24–34; p<0.001), a 21.8% relative improvement, especially in emotional and worry domains. Zarit scores decreased from 21.2 to 11.5 points, indicating a 46% reduction in caregiver burden.

Conclusions

A targeted educational intervention improved QoL and reduced caregiver burden. Educational support should be integrated into comprehensive cirrhosis care in Latin America.