Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chronic liver disease (CLD) significantly impairs health-related quality of life (HRQoL) due to its multifaceted impact on physical, psychological, and social well-being. Despite its prevalence in Pakistan, there is limited data on the specific HRQoL challenges faced by patients with CLD. This study aims to assess HRQoL in CLD patients using the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) and identify factors influencing their quality of life. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital over 6 months, including 331 adult patients diagnosed with CLD. The Urdu version of the CLDQ assessed six HRQoL domains. Data on demographic and clinical variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA (Analysis of Variance), and Spearman's correlation. RESULTS: The mean HRQoL score was 65.87 ± 23.55, indicating moderate impairment. Female patients reported significantly lower scores than males (p = 0.001). Fatigue, emotional well-being, and systemic symptoms were the most affected domains, with 48.3% experiencing fatigue frequently. Patients with longer disease duration had higher HRQoL scores (p = 0.001), while MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) scores correlated with disease severity and HRQoL impairment. Psychological symptoms, including depression and anxiety, were prevalent, further diminishing HRQoL. Dietary limitations were the most predictive of disease burden (AUC = 0.872). CONCLUSION: CLD severely affects patients' HRQoL, with notable gender disparities and psychological burdens. Comprehensive, multidisciplinary interventions addressing physical and emotional needs are essential to improve outcomes and quality of life in this population.