Cirrhotic Patients have Good insight into their Daily Functional Impairment despite Prior Hepatic Encephalopathy: Comparison with PROMIS norms

Abstract

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important determinant of prognosis in cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy (HE). However due to inherent cognitive dysfunction, insight into HRQOL severity in patients with liver disease may be impaired.

Aim

To assess insight into HRQOL using PROMIS tools compared to norms in cirrhotic patients.

Methods

PROMIS tools are validated HRQOL instruments that test the domains of anger, anxiety, depression, physical function, pain behavior/impact, sleep disturbances/impairment, and social activities/roles, compared to US-norms. Patients were administered the PROMIS tools, the results of which were reviewed using a visual comparison with thed norms. Then two Likert scales from 0–10 per domain were administered that inquired about (1) Surprise Intensity: 0–4: not surprised, 5–10: surprised; and (2) Expectancies: 0–4: results better than expected, 5:10: as/worse than expected. Comparisons between HE/no-HE were also performed.

Results

203 cirrhotic patients (57 yrs, 62% men, MELD 12, 83 HE) were included. All HE patients were controlled on therapy. Prior HE patients were significantly impaired on all PROMIS domains (p<0.01) except anger, compared to the rest. The majority (76–85%) were not surprised with their placement vis-à-vis the norms. Similarly, a majority (59–61%) thought their results were worse or as expected. However, a third of patients found that their PROMIS results were better than expected. Prior HE status did not significantly impact expectations or surprise based on placement with the norms.

Conclusions

The majority of cirrhotic patients, regardless of prior HE, have good insight regarding their HRQOL issues.