Correlation between the short-form 36 (sf-36) health survey and the chronic liver disease questionnaire (cldq) in chronic liver disease patients

Background/Aims: Patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) had a variety of symptoms which influenced their life activities and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL). However, evaluated methodology HR-QOL of CLD patients has not been fully established. In this study, we evaluated the relationships between the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ). Materials and Methods: HR-QOL was assessed using SF-36 and CLDQ in 130 CLD without hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and 51 healthy volunteers (Controls). Correlation was determined by comparing both the physical and emotional component summary scores (physical and emotional QOL) of SF-36 and mean CLDQ scores for physical QOL (abdominal symptoms, fatigue, systemic symptoms and activity) and emotional QOL (emotional function and worry). Results: In the healthy group (Controls), no correlation with either item was identified. In the overall chronic liver disease group, a correlation was seen in between both the physical and emotional QOL of SF-36 and mean CLDQ. In particular, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) related CLD are correlated between both the physical and emotional QOL of SF-36 and mean CLDQ. Conclusion: CLDQ appears to offer a useful instrument for assessing QOL among liver disease patients. However, as partial discrepancies with SF-36 have been reported, measurement with both tools may be necessary. Continuous assessment of additional accumulated cases is needed to examine correlation. In the future, the generic HR-QOL tool of the SF-36 and the liver disease-specific CLDQ should be used concurrently to determine the significance of HR-QOL in addressing chronic liver diseases.