The influence of structural and functional albumin properties on the life quality in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis

Abstract

Introduction. The gradual progression of liver cirrhosis with the development of complications has a negative impact on the life quality of patients with this disease. Modern therapeutic strategies are aimed not only at disease compensating, but much attention is paid to improving the quality of life. No data exists on the effect of serum albumin levels, their structural and functional activity, on the quality of life of patients with cirrhosis. Aim. To evaluate the  relationship between serum albumin concentration, its structural configuration  (DR), functional properties (BE, RTQ, DTE) and life quality in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. Materials and methods. The severity of the structural and functional properties of albumin was evaluated in decompensated patients (n = 50) using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR spectroscopy). Patients’ quality of life was examined using a standardised SF-36 questionnaire.Results. Pathological changes in DR were observed in 100% of patients, a decrease in BE – in 90%, a violation of RTQ – in 82% of cases, a decrease in DTE was recorded in 76% of patients. The correlation between the level of serum albumin and indicators of physical functioning (PF), role functioning due to emotional state (RE) was ρ = 0,294. Structural and functional albumin properties were related to low indicators of the physical component of health (p < 0,05). Conclusions. А decline in serum albumin levels, a violation of its conformation and functional properties has a negative impact on the quality of life of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.