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Evaluation of the impact of an interdisciplinary team scheduling model on psychological outcomes in patients with decompensated cirrhosis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: BACKGROUND Patients with decompensated cirrhosis frequently experience severe psychological distress, anxiety, and depression, yet psychological support is often fragmented in conventional care. AIM To investigate the effect of interdisciplinary team scheduling on psychological outcomes in decompensated cirrhosis. METHODS A randomized, single-blind, single-center trial was conducted from January 2022 to December 2024 in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. A total of 110 patients with decompensated cirrhosis (Distress Thermometer ≥ 4) were randomized to interdisciplinary team scheduling (n = 55) or conventional scheduling (n = 55). Psychological distress, anxiety, depression, and quality of life were assessed using the Distress Thermometer, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale, and World Health Organization Quality of Life 100 questionnaire, respectively. RESULTS Following the intervention, the interdisciplinary group achieved significantly lower psychological distress [3 (2-3) vs 3 (3-4)], anxiety (41.65 ± 4.29 vs 46.38 ± 4.18), and depression scores (45.79 ± 3.25 vs 50.14 ± 3.69) compared with the control group (all P < 0.05). Quality of life scores also improved significantly in the physical, psychological, and social domains (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The interdisciplinary team scheduling model effectively alleviates psychological symptoms and enhances quality of life among patients with decompensated cirrhosis. This model addresses unmet psychosocial needs through early, continuous, and collaborative care, providing a practical framework for integrating psychological support into chronic liver disease management.

Source: World Journal of Hepatology

DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v18.i1.114366

Authors: Wei-Ying Xu, Ye-Qin Li, Xiu-Ping Wei, Hai-Ping Qin, Li-Fan Feng

Language: English

Topic: Liver Disease and Transplantation

Subfield: Hepatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Northwestern University, Stryker, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Awards: G1149275573, Blood pressure as a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular events in liver transplant recipients, Implementation science to improve cardiovascular outcomes among liver transplant recipients, G9000097266