Quality of life in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and possible methods of its improvement

Aim. To assess the quality of life in patients with NAFLD at the stage of liver steatosis and the effect of a course of cognitive computerized training (CCT) and LOLA intake on changes in quality of life indicators.
Materials and methods. A prospective comparative study was conducted involving 86 patients with NAFLD at the steatosis stage (men, average age 36 years), randomized into two groups: LOLA (n = 42) and CCT (n = 44) for 4 weeks. Participants had to have normal liver function (absence of cytolysis according to biochemical blood analysis), a negative result according to the AUDIT questionnaire (less than 8 points), which excluded alcohol abuse, as well as the absence of hepatic encephalopathy according to the Reitan test and dementia or pre-dementia conditions according to the MMSE scale (score on a scale of 28-30). All patients gave informed consent to participate in the study. The quality of life was assessed twice (before and after treatment) using the SF-36 questionnaire. Standardized data from the MIRAGE study were used for comparison with population norms.
Results. Patients showed a significant decrease in quality of life on the scales of physical functioning (p<0.001), vital activity (p = 0.01), social (p = 0.032) and role-based emotional functioning (p = 0.014) compared with population norms. Both methods of therapy led to significant improvements: LOLA – mainly in vital activity (p = 0.032), CCT – in social (p = 0.012), emotional role (p = 0.004) and mental health (p = 0.038). An intergroup comparison showed the advantage of CCT in improving the psycho-emotional sphere (p<0.05), and LOLA in increasing the energy status (p = 0.041).
Conclusion. NAFLD at the stage of steatosis is accompanied by a decrease in the quality of life in the physical and psycho-emotional spheres. This justifies the need for early detection and comprehensive correction aimed not only at metabolic parameters, but also at improving the quality of life and restoring the ability to engage in daily activity.

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