6th Edition of World Nursing Science Conference 2026

Abstract

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) complicates 10-80% of cirrhosis cases, imposing significant emotional, physical, and financial burdens on family caregivers who manage symptoms, medications, and support at facilities like the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi. This descriptive cross-sectional study assessed caregivers' quality of life (QoL), burden, and Disease management awareness to identify predictors.
Methods: Using convenience sampling, 300 caregivers (aged ≥18, Hindi/English literate) of HE patients (West Haven Grades 1-4) were recruited from ILBS wards (Sept-Nov 2025). Validated tools included SF-36. 22-item Zarit Burden Interview and 23-item HE Management Awareness Questionnaire. Analysis involved descriptives, chi-square/t-tests/ANOVA, binary logistic regression, and Spearman correlations.
Results: Caregivers showed moderate-severe burden (influenced by patient relationship, chronic illness; ORs 0.15-4.38, p<0.05); QoL means were PCS ~47-59 and MCS ~45-60; awareness was moderate-good (mean ~0.6-0.8/domain, negative skew). Significant sociodemographic associations (e.g., chronic illness p=0.033 for awareness; marital status p<0.05 for MCS); weak negative correlations: QoL-burden r=-0.097 to -0.141 (p<0.05).
Conclusion: High burden and gaps in awareness underscore needs for targeted caregiver support at ILBS to enhance QoL and HE outcomes. Nursing policies should prioritize education and burden reduction strategies; future longitudinal trials could evaluate interventions.