Assessment of the quality of life of patients at the stage of anti-viral therapy

Iskakova Aigerim Nabievna, Kurmangazin Meyrambek Sagnaevich, Zhumagaliyeva Galina Dautovna, Kurgambekova Maken Zhumagalievna, Nurlanova Gulzhanat Nurlanovna, Astrakhanov Әkezhan Rustemuly, Amanzhanova Aigul Arystanbaevna

Research objective: Assessment of quality of life in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C at the stage of immediate virological response to antiviral therapy. 105 patients with chronic viral hepatitis C (CHCV) who received 12 weeks of combined antiviral therapy (sofosbuvir 400mg + daclatasvir 60mg) were included in the study. Assessment of physical and psychological condition was performed using SF-36 questionnaire at the moment of inclusion in the study (0), at 4 and at 12 weeks of therapy. Statistical processing of the results was performed using Statistica 10 program. At baseline, a decrease in quality of life scores below the normal 50-point threshold level was noted on almost every scale, except for the "Role functioning due to physical condition" scale, where the score was 50 [0-75], which corresponds to the threshold value. Having compared patients' quality of life during different periods of combined antiviral therapy, we found that scores on all scales of the SF-36 questionnaire were significantly (p≤0.001) higher in patients who received treatment for both the physical and psychological components of health. The response times of the individual measures are shown below: Week 4: PF, BP, GH, VT. Week 12: RE, MH. No statistically significant improvement of RP and SF indices was observed during the observation period. At week 12, there was a statistically significant increase in quality of life in all indices, except RP and SF. However, it should be noted that the index of pain intensity and its impact on the ability to engage in daily activities still did not reach the threshold value (50 points). The study revealed that the physical component of health improved after the completion of therapy, and the mental component of health improved at the end of the observation period.

Keywords:viral hepatitis C, quality of life, SF-36 questionnaire, antiviral therapy.