Abstracts of the 2021 Annual meeting of the ALEH (Asociación Latinoamericana para el Estudio del Hígado)
More infoPatients with cirrhosis develop multiple complications (ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, hemorrhage, etc.), which contribute to the deterioration of the quality of life, these patients can also present anxiety and/or depression, but few studies show the prevalence of these in these patients, as well as its impact on the quality of life.
ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and its impact on life quality.
MethodsObservational, prospective, cross-sectional, and analytical study. Patients with a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis of any etiology and any stage, evaluated in consultation and hospitalization in the gastroenterology service, were included. The SF-36 questionnaire was applied for quality of life and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) screening anxiety and depression.
Results108 patients were included, 55 (50.9%) men, and 53 (49.1%) women, aged 54.14 ± 11.29 years. The etiology: Due to alcohol 51 patients (47.2%), In patients with fatty liver associated with metabolic dysfunction (MAFLD) 24 patients (22.2%), autoimmune liver disease 16 patients (14.8%), chronic hepatitis C virus 10 patients (9.3 %), cryptogenic cirrhosis 7 patients (6.5%). The Child-Pugh stage: 48 patients (44.4%) A, 38 patients B (35.2%), and 22 patients C (20.4%). 84.3% of the patients had a primary caregiver. 26 patients (24.1%) were diagnosed with depression and 32 patients (29.6%) with anxiety. When evaluating SF36 of these patients, it was found that the 8 domains have deficient scores for emotional role and health.
ConclusionsPatients with liver cirrhosis develop anxiety and depression, which are frequently not diagnosed or treated; In the group that we studied, the prevalence of anxiety and depression is much more frequent than that documented in the literature, as well as a deterioration in the quality of life-related to stress, depression, and progression of cirrhosis.