AIM: To investigate and evaluate the factors related to the quality of life in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: The quality of life for 214 cirrhosis patients treated at our hospital was assessed using the Chinese version of Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Relevant clinical data for patients were also collected to conduct univariate analysis and multivariate stepwise regression analysis. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that factors affecting the quality of life in all dimensions in patients with cirrhosis were percentage of treatment costs accounting for family income, fatigue, anorexia, dizziness, family economic burden, anxiety and depression (P < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that age, dizziness, loss of appetite, anxiety, depression, and family economic burden significantly affect the quality of life scores in patients with cirrhosis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The factors influencing the quality of life in patients with cirrhosis are complex and multifactorial. © 2015 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.