ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE THROUGH STANDARD TREATMENT INTERVENTIONS
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Keywords
NAFLD, Standard Treatment, Weight Loss, Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ)
Abstract
Objective: This study endeavours to evaluate the influence of a standardized treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on the quality of life of patients, addressing a significant concern in the public health domain.
Study design: A cross-sectional study
Place and Duration: This study was conducted in Lahore General Hospital Lahore from June 2022 to June 2023
Methodology: All participants underwent a standardized treatment protocol. Demographic, physical, and biochemical data were collected alongside NAFLD fat scores and QOL assessments measured using the WHO QOL questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ). Evaluations were performed at baseline, after three months of initiating treatment, and after six months of treatment. Patients were categorized into two groups based on weight loss outcomes: those achieving significant weight loss (more than 5%) and those with non-significant weight loss (less than 5%) after six months. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26.
Results: The study encompassed 200 patients (104 (52%) women and 96 (48%) men; the mean age was 50.12 ± 2.92 years). Notably, 63 patients (31.5%) achieved significant weight loss, while 136 patients (68%) did not meet the weight loss goal. There were no notable distinctions in demographic characteristics identified between the two groups. Analysis using WHOQOL-BREF and CLDQ revealed substantial enhancements in the group with substantial weight loss in contrast to the group with insignificant weight loss. Regression analysis highlighted significant correlations between WHOQOL-BREF outcomes and NAFLD fat scores, as well as baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. The CLDQ outcomes showed significant associations with the presence of the NAFLD activity score, diabetes mellitus, and fibrosis stage.
Conclusion: The conclusion of this study is that adherence to a standardized treatment protocol significantly enhances the quality of life (QOL) for individuals suffering from NAFLD, coupled with a weight loss regimen.
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Ambreen Asif
Senior Registrar Internal Medicine, Lahore General Hospital Lahore Pakistan.
Abdul Rashid Dayo
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College Sukkur Pakistan.
Raj Kumar
Registrar Internal Medicine, Farwaniya Hospital Kuwait.
Lubna Mushtaque
Head of Quality and Monitoring Directorate, Indus Hospital and Health Network Karachi Pakistan.
Tazeem Hussain
Consultant Medicine, King Saud Medical City & Academy Riyadh Saudi Arabia.
Jahangir Liaquat
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Sulaiman Roshan Medical College Hospital Tando Adam Pakistan.