Continued alcohol consumption and hepatic encephalopathy determine quality of life and psychosocial burden of caregivers in patients with liver cirrhosis

Background: Patients with liver cirrhosis suffer from significantly reduced health-related quality of life and are often dependent on support from caregivers. In this context, caregivers often suffer from impaired quality of life (QoL) as well as psychosocial burden (PB). The aim of the present study was to identify factors influencing QoL and PB of caregivers in order to improve the social care of patients and caregivers. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 106 patients with liver cirrhosis and their caregivers were included. (Health-related) QoL was surveyed in patients (CLDQ) and caregivers (SF-36) and PB was determined by Zarit Burden Interview. Results: Alcohol related liver cirrhosis (55%) was the predominant etiology of liver cirrhosis and the median MELD of the cohort was 14. QoL did not differ between patients with and without alcohol-related liver cirrhosis (p = 0.6). In multivariable analysis, continued alcohol consumption (p = 0.020), a history of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) (p = 0.010), poorer QoL of patients (p = 0.030) and poorer QoL of caregivers (p = 0.005) were associated with a higher PB of caregivers. Factors independently associated with poorer QoL of caregivers were continued alcohol consumption (p = 0.003) and a higher PB of caregivers (p = 0.030). Conclusion: Caregivers of patients with liver cirrhosis suffer from impaired QoL and PB, especially in case of continued alcohol consumption or the occurrence of HE.