Quality of Life among Elderly Patients with Chronic Liver Diseases at Al-Rajhy Liver Hospital, Assiut University

Abstract

Background: Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) adversely affect the Quality of life since patients frequently have asthenia, incapacitation, pain in various body parts, a sleeping disorder, lack of appetite, insomnia, and complications related to liver cirrhosis. Study Aim: The study aimed to assess the Quality of life among elderly patients with CLDs at El Rajhy liver hospital. Design: This is a descriptive study conducted for this study. The study sample included 385 elderly patients with chronic liver diseases. Setting: The study was carried out in Al-Rajhy Liver Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt. Two tools were utilized; 1 tool: Structured Interview questionnaire include s personal characteristics and 2 tool was: Chronic Liver Disease questionnaire (CLDQ) for assessing patients Quality of life. Results: Around half of the studied sample had moderate impairment of QOL. There was a relationship between QOL & chronic liver diseases. It has a significant impact on the QOL for elderly patient. Conclusion: Chronic liver diseases have significant negative impact on the QOL among elderly patients in relation to abdominal symptoms, fatigue, systemic symptoms, activity and emotional function. Recommendations: Health educational programs should be initiated to increase knowledge among elderly patients about CLDs and its adverse effects on the elderly quality of life.