Psychological determinants of health-related quality of life in patients with chronic liver disease.

Background: The negative impact of chronic liver disease on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) has long been established, and treatable physiological or psychological factors may potentially influence HRQoL.

Objective: The authors assessed the interrelationships of multiple psychological factors and HRQoL in patients with CLD.

Method: Both direct and indirect relationships among HRQoL, depression, anxiety, coping, and self-efficacy in 164 patients with CLD were assessed.

Logistic feasibility of health related quality of life measurement in clinical practice: results of a prospective study in a large population of chronic liver patients.

Background: The objective of the present study was to provide a complete and detailed report of technical and logistical feasibility problems with the implementation of routine computerized HRQoL measurement at a busy outpatient department of Hepatology that can serve as a tool for future researchers interested in the procedure.

Methods: Practical feasibility was assessed by observing problems encountered during the development of the computer program, observing patients' ability to complete the HRQoL questionnaires, monitoring the number of times that patients completed the HRQoL questionnaires and observing logistics at the outpatient department. Patients' reasons for not completing the HRQoL questionnaires were assessed retrospectively by means of a mailed questionnaire.

Quality of health care and patient satisfaction in liver disease: the development and preliminary results of the QUOTE-Liver questionnaire.

Background: Consensus on how to adequately measure patient satisfaction with health care is limited, and has led to the development of many questionnaires with various methodological problems. The objective of this study was to develop a liver disease- and care-specific patient satisfaction instrument on the basis of previously tested methodology in patient satisfaction measurement, the so called QUOTE- series: Quality Of health care services Through the patients' Eyes. QUOTE methodology aims to standardise the measurement of satisfaction as the discrepancy between patients' needs, and the extent to which these needs are being met.

Effectiveness of health-related quality-of-life measurement in clinical practice: a prospective, randomized controlled trial in patients with chronic liver disease and their physicians.

Background: This study assessed the effectiveness of computerized measurement and feedback of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in daily clinical practice in patients with chronic liver disease.

Methods: One hundred and sixty-two patients (61% men; mean age 47.5 years) regularly completed computerized HRQoL questionnaires before each consultation for the duration of 1 year.

Health-related quality of life and psychological correlates in patients listed for liver transplantation.

Purpose: Given the increasing waiting time for liver transplantation, and the amount of possible stressors associated with it, assessment of psychological well-being and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in these patients is warranted in order to optimize pretransplant care.

Patients And Methods: Patients with chronic liver disease (n = 32) awaiting transplantation completed a series of questionnaires measuring HRQoL, depression, anxiety, coping, and self-efficacy. Comparisons were made with other patients with liver disease with and without cirrhosis, and a healthy norm population.