Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in alcoholic hepatotoxic patients

Hepatotoxicity implies chemical driven liver damage; by chemicals like ethanol (alcohol), drugs (antibiotics, Anti-TB), plant extract. The danger elements include age, gender, idiosyncrasy, alcohol consumption, concomitant use of different drugs, preceding or underlying liver disease, genetic, nutrition, social, and environmental elements. Alcohol overconsumption leads to fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and chronic hepatitis with fibrosis or cirrhosis. The research was carried out to assess HRQoL by studying risk factors and comorbidities associated with alcoholic hepatotoxicity. HRQoL is an individual’s or a group’s recognized physical and mental health over time. Alcohol dependence is a primary cause of impairments in overall HRQoL, social functioning, and general physical and mental health of an individual. Utility of using Quality of Life measures throughout assessment and treatment as a motivational tool and a marker for treatment efficacy. Assessment of QoL during treatment can add value to patient recovery as HRQoL improves with treatment and successful abstinence

Conclusion 

The present prospective, observational study, held in tertiary care hospital enlightens that HRQoL before and after the treatment of alcoholic hepatotoxic people shows a big and drastic improvement in HRQoL scoring. When we assess the HRQoL of 20 patients before and after the treatment we found that patients show a large improvement in the scoring of HRQoL in the domain of Psychological and sociological relationships and a small effective improvement in the Physical and environment domain. We observed that the patient's HRQoL- Psychological domain showed low scoring when compared to other domains. When we compare daily and occasional drinkers, it reveals a big difference in HRQoL scoring and final diagnosis. The daily drinkers are diagnosed with severe liver diseases and found with poor HRQoL score. Most CLD and ALD patients are found with low nutrition levels and have a history of improper diet. This is considered to be the primary reason for initiation of hepatotoxicity in alcoholic patients. Every patient’s HRQoL score was evaluated and intervened. All the patients were counselled on their individual conditions and consequences and were motivated for the cessation of alcohol and smoking. Alcohol abstinence improves the survival of the patient and also decreases the severity and prevents progression to liver cirrhosis. The need of nutritional support, therapy and medication adherence were addressed to the patients.