Background: Although it is widely accepted that the autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients with large liver cysts have a significant decrement in quality of life (QOL), there is insufficient evidence that clearly demonstrates the relationship between the size of the liver cysts and QOL. Therefore, we started this prospective longitudinal study to investigate the impact of liver cysts on QOL.
Methods: We grouped the 111 included ADPKD patients into 4 groups (control group A; < 25%, group B; 25-49%, group C; 50-75%, group D; > 75%) according to liver cysts-parenchyma ratio (CPR). QOL was measured by FANLTC + FACT-Hep scores. We compared QOL scores and several clinical parameters amongst these groups for 3 years.
Results: The number of patients in group A, B, C, and D was 31, 14, 14, and 23, respectively. Although there were no significant differences in AST (p = 0.107), ALT (p = 0.925), and serum albumin (p = 0.212) between the four groups, platelet count was significantly decreased along with the extension of cyst volume (p = 0.030). Overall, the mean FANLTC and FACT-Hep scores were 71.8 ± 12.5, and 32.4 ± 5.8, respectively. FANLTC (p = 0.017) and FACT-Hep scores (p = 0.003) were significantly decreased with increasing cyst volume. From the data collected at the time of registration, multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that the CPR had a significant influence on FANLTC and FACT-Hep scores.
Conclusion: In this cross-sectional and prospective longitudinal study, we demonstrate the relationship between liver cyst volume and QOL in ADPKD patients. We hope to establish the long-term influence on QOL in this ongoing prospective longitudinal study.
Keywords: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease; Liver cyst volume; Quality of life.