Preliminary examination of the relations between disease stage, illness perceptions, coping strategies, and psychological morbidity in chronic hepatitis B and C guided by the Common-Sense Model of Illness

Background and aims Chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) has a spectrum from asymptomatic disease to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In our study, we aimed to establish the relations between disease stage, illness perception, coping strategies and psychological morbidity in CVH. Methods A total of 182 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) ( n = 136) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) ( n = 46) were enrolled. Illness perceptions were measured with the Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire. Coping strategies were measured with the Carver Brief Coping Questionnaire. Anxiety and depression were measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Relations were evaluated by structural equation modeling (SEM). Results In CHB, combining the questionnaire data using SEM resulted in a final model with an excellent fit [ χ 2 (2) = 0.00, P = 1.000, χ 2 / N = 0.00, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) < 0.001, comparative fit index (CFI) = 1.000, goodness-of-fit index (GFI) = 1.000]. Disease stage had a significant direct influence on illness perceptions ( β = 0.23, P = 0.006). Illness perceptions had a significant direct influence on emotional coping strategy, depression and anxiety ( β = 0.20, P = 0.019; β = 0.33, P < 0.001; β = 0.59, P < 0.001, respectively). While the use of emotional coping strategies was associated significantly ( P = 0.01) with the presence of anxiety, problem-focused coping strategy was associated with depression ( P = 0.004). In CHC, SEM resulted in a final model with an excellent fit [ χ 2 (2) = 0.078, P = 0.962, χ 2 / N = 0.039, RMSEA<0.001, CFI = 1.000, GFI = 0.999]. Disease stage did not have a significant direct influence on illness perceptions ( P > 0.05). Illness perceptions had a significant direct influence on depression and anxiety ( β = 0.27, P = 0.023; β = 0.44, P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion The psychological consequences of the disease vary depending on the person’s perception of illness and coping strategies.