Cirrhosis affects maximal oxygen consumption, functional capacity, quality of life in patients with hepatitis C.

Objective: The aim is assess, compare, and correlate maximal oxygen consumption (VO ), functional capacity and quality of life in cirrhotic patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and in healthy individuals.

Methods: This case-control study included 36 participants (18 patients with HCV cirrhosis and 18 healthy individuals) matched for sex and age. VO was assessed using ergospirometry with an incremental load test on a cycloergometer. Functional capacity was measured by a 6-min walk test (6WT), and quality of life was assessed using the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).

Results: Both the cirrhotic group and the control group had similar results for sex (44.4% male) and age (55.6 ± 8.31 and 55.2 ± 8.85 years, respectively). The cirrhotic group scored lower in all domains of the SF-36, on the VO test (cirrhotic group 16.2 [11.6-18.6] ml/kg/min; control group 19.9 [16.28-26.9]; p = 0.007) and on the 6WT (cirrhotic group 521.5 [476.25-544.75] m; control group 618.0 [570.75-643.75] m; p = 0.0001). Correlations were found between the 6WT and the VO (r = 0.801, p < 0.0001) and between the 6WT and quality of life (SF-361-functional capacity domain; r = 0.552, p = 0.018) only in the cirrhotic group.

Conclusion: Patients with cirrhosis due to HCV show changes in VO and in functional capacity, which have a significant impact on their quality of life.