Background/Aims: To assess HRQL in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and investigate the relevant factors.

Methodology: A cross-sectional three-center study involving 407 inpatients with CHB was conducted. Subjects completed the epidemiological questionnaire and two validated questionnaires (SF-36 and QLICD-CH). Afterwards, the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) and dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene polymorphisms were assessed in all patients.

Results: It was found that the scores of CHB patients in SF-36 scale 8 domains were lower than those of the normal population (all p<0.001). The anti-viral therapy could improve four-area-scores (PHD (p=0.004), SOD (p=0.011), SPD (p=0.032), TOT (p=0.014)). Extraverted personality, social competence and ability to work were protective factors of HRQL, while severity of illness, better family economy and abnormal condition of liver function were risk factors. The scores in II genotype were higher than those in I/D+DD genotype of ACE polymorphisms. The scores in short repeat sequences genotypes were higher than those in long repeat sequences genotype of DRD4 polymorphisms.

Conclusions: Patients with CHB had lower HRQL than normal population. Anti-viral treatments can improve their HRQL. Several health factors independently influence HRQL and ACE and DRD4 gene polymorphism is associated with HRQL of CHB patients.