One hundred and twenty three outpatients with compensated chronic hepatitis C (CHC) completed the SF-36, BSI, and questions regarding the expected impact of CHC on their health. Respondents were categorized as optimists ( N = 17, 13.8%), realists ( N = 98, 79.6%), and pessimists ( N = 8, 6.5%). Pessimism was associated with lower scores on nearly all SF-36 subscales ( p < .001 –.03) and higher scores on 6 BSI subscales indicative of greater emotional distress ( p < .05). Pessimism was not associated with demographics, liver disease severity, substance abuse, or comorbid medical conditions. However, pessimism was associated with the presence of a psychiatric comorbidity and self-reported health status ( p < .05). We conclude that optimism/pessimism may be an important determinant of QOL and emotional status in CHC patients and that additional studies of cognitive predispositions and coping skills in CHC patients are warranted.
Peer Reviewed
http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44853/1/10880_2004_Article_462224.pdf