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Congestive Heart Failure and Quality of Life

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Abstract

Our study aimed to assess the quality of life (QoL) of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and to correlate the different aspects of QoL with relevant socio-demographic variables, CHF severity, somatic comorbidities, other clinical variables and depressive symptomatology. In a cross-sectional study design, a community sample of 103 adult patients with CHF (mean age 68 years, 73 % male) was recruited from an outpatient cardiology practice. CHF severity was assessed with physician ratings of the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and measurement of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. The psychometric evaluation of quality of life was made using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). The Beck Depression Inventory Second Edition (BDI-II) assessed depressive symptoms. Using multiple linear regression, predictors of poorer QoL included being a female, being older, living alone, NYHA functional class ≥ II, higher levels of BNP comorbidity (such as renal insufficiency and cerebrovascular disease), fluid retention, depressive symptomatology (assessed by BDI-II) and treatment with anti-dyslipidemics, diuretics and β-blockers. Among these correlates, psychological distress was the most strongly related to QoL. Also, functional status measured by NYHA demonstrated a high impact on QoL. Our findings suggest the need to address such factors in developing effective care to improve psychological and functional status in order to enhance QoL in these patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Centro Hospitalar do Alto Ave, Guimarães, Portugal

    Sónia Ramos

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Vila Nova de Gaia, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal

    Joana Prata

  3. Department of Cardiology, Hospital of S. João, Porto, Portugal

    Francisco Rocha Gonçalves

  4. Department of Psychiatry, Hospital of S. João, Porto, Portugal

    Rui Coelho

  5. Unit of Cardiovascular Development and Research, Hospital of S. João, Porto Medical School, Porto, Portugal

    Sónia Ramos, Joana Prata, Francisco Rocha Gonçalves & Rui Coelho

  6. Rua Cândido Beirante 6, 4715-269, Braga, Portugal

    Sónia Ramos

Authors
  1. Sónia Ramos
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  2. Joana Prata
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  3. Francisco Rocha Gonçalves
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  4. Rui Coelho
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Correspondence to Sónia Ramos.

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Ramos, S., Prata, J., Gonçalves, F.R. et al. Congestive Heart Failure and Quality of Life. Applied Research Quality Life 9, 803–817 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-013-9270-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-013-9270-6

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