Mental health and quality of life in patients with chronic liver disease: a single-center structural equation model.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chronic liver disease (CLD) is one of the leading disease burdens in Pakistan. Until now, there has only been limited focus in the country on providing health services through tertiary services in urban cities, whereas there is almost no research in Pakistan on the mental health and quality of life of CLD patients. This study aimed to understand which predictors influence the mental health and quality of life of CLD patients in order to advise better policy protection. METHODS: Data was collected from CLD patients at the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 850 respondents were part of the final sample. The age of respondents ranged from 18 to 79 years and included the following diagnosis (i) Chronic Viral Hepatitis (n = 271), (ii) Cirrhosis (n = 259), (iii) Hepatocellular Carcinoma (n = 193), and (iv) Non-viral Liver Disease (n = 127). RESULTS: Mean results reveal that females as well as illiterate patients need more support for mental health and communication with their physician; whereas men need more support to develop coping strategies. Structural equation modelling results reveal that the severity of symptoms (ß = 0.24, p < 0.001), coping strategies (ß=-0.51, p < 0.001), and doctor communication (ß=-0.35, p < 0.001) predict mental health. Quality of life is associated with the severity of symptoms (ß=-0.36, p < 0.001), coping strategies (ß = 0.26, p < 0.05), and doctor communication (ß = 0.09, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A 'bio-psycho-social-spiritual' model is recommended for Pakistan's CLD patients which includes the integration of social officers to provide support in four key areas to secure mental health and quality of life of patients.