PREVALENCE OF SYMPTOMS AND ASSOCIATED DISTRESS IN PATIENTS WITH DECOMPENSATED CIRRHOSIS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this research effort is to assess the prevalence of physical and psychological symptoms and its associated distress among patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis using the Condensed Memorial Assessment Scale (CMSAS). The depression will be measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study included 268 adults with decompensated cirrhosis (MELD-Na ≥15) at PUMHSW, Nawab shah, using consecutive sampling. Physical and psychological symptoms were assessed via the Condensed Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (CMSAS), and depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Data were analyzed in SPSS v26 with Chi-square tests to assess associations, considering p ≤ 0.05 significant. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was secured from all participants.

RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 53.8 years, with 61.2% males. Fatigue (91%), drowsiness (75.4%), and sleep difficulty (74.3%) were the most prevalent physical symptoms. Psychological symptoms included worrying (68.3%) and sadness (61.2%). The mean PHQ-9 score was 9.49, indicating moderate depression. While most symptoms showed no significant association with depression severity, “worrying” was significantly correlated (p = 0.030).

CONCLUSION: Patients with decompensated cirrhosis experience a high burden of both physical and psychological symptoms, with fatigue, sleep disturbances, and worry being most common. A significant association was found between worrying and depression severity. These findings highlight the importance of routine symptom screening and integrated psychosocial support to improve overall care and quality of life in this vulnerable patient population