Quality of Life in Chronic Hepatitis Band C Patients

Chronic hepatitis band c are prevalent diseases, especially in developing countries. in many ofthe patients they cause limitations in physical and mental functions and finally cause reduction in their life quality. wewanted to assess the quality of life in these patients.methods: this research was done on 74 chronic hepatitis band c patients of rasht which their diseases were confirmedby serologic and histologic methods and their hepatic enzymes including ast 8(less than) alt was two times more than normalrange for at least 6 months. cross-sectional questionnaire survey performed in october 2003 till jully 2004 ingastrointestinal 8(less than) liver diseases research center of rasht (north city of iran), razi hospital. the questionnairesconsisted of 29 questions that were given to the patients and they were let free to complete it.results: the individuals under survey consisted of 15 (20.27%) chronic hepatitis b patients and 59 (79.72%) chronichepatitis c patients. 54 (72.79%) ones were male and 20 (27.02%) were female. total adjusted score (up to 100points) of life quality was 54.4 (plus-minus) 22.5. no meaningful difference was seen between two sexes based on total score oflife quality. also, in different fields of life quality no significant difference was seen between two genders, except thesystemic signs that the average of adjusted score of females (43 (plus-minus) 28) was less than males (63 (plus-minus) 27) that meansmeaningful statistical difference (p (less than) 0.007).conclusions: generally, it seems that chronic hepatitis band c have untoward life qualities which could result fromconcern of decrease of social support or fear of society or decrease in patronage of the family or friends and it ismandate to be concerned when furnishing services to these patients.