To study Quality of Life during chronic hepatitis C infection in patients recruited by hospital-based- or private hepatologists and to assess the effect of antiviral therapy.

A self-administered quality of life questionnaire (SF36) was proposed before, during, and 6 months after the end of treatment. The quality of life scales were assessed according to treatment response.

599 patients filled in the questionnaire before treatment and 168 patients 6 months after the end of treatment. After 6 months of therapy, patients with treatment response (n = 54) showed increased scores in all SF-36 scales, this increase reaching more than 25% for “Role Physical”, “General Health Perception” and “Vitality” scores. Non-responders (n = 70) had an impairment of physical scores but a general improvement of Mental Health.

This study confirms that sustained virological response is associated with an improved quality of life in hepatitis C patients. However, non-responders still have a positive “General Health Perception”. Together with the development of new therapies, these observations could help to convince reluctant patients to be treated.