Quality of life in Hepatitis C virus infection: Assessment of rural patients living in north-western New South Wales

Objective: To measure the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of rural Australian Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients living in north-western New South Wales. Design: A cross-sectional survey, including the Short Form 36 (SF36) questionnaire as well as topics concerning demographic data and items relating to the perceived mode and duration of HCV infection. Subjects: A total of 80 patients with HCV infection were identified, using non-random, convenience sampling, during October 2004 to June 2005. These patients attended either the Hepatitis C clinic, the Alcohol and Other Drugs clinic or general practitioner surgeries in rural north-western New South Wales. Of the 80 patients selected, 65 completed the survey instrument, yielding a response rate of 81%. Measurements: HRQOL in terms of the standard eight SF36 subscores as well as aggregate physical and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores based on the SF36. Results: Patients attending the Alcohol and Other Drugs clinic had a significantly (P = 0.024) lower vitality score than patients attending either the Hepatitis C clinic or the general practice surgeries. Otherwise, the three groups had similar scores in respect of the remaining seven SF36 dimensions. Most participants (86%) stated that their families are aware of their HCV status and 74% of participants mentioned that their families are supporting them in respect of their HCV status. Conclusion: Our rural HCV-infected patients have comparable HRQOL measures to their counterparts selected from patients attending the Liver Diseases Clinic or the Infectious Diseases Clinic in Adelaide. Both groups have reduced HRQOL compared with the Australian population norm.