An assessment of the quality of life in chronic heart failure patients

Abstract Aim. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate quality of life (QoL) and selected aspects of patients with chronic heart failure. Material and methods. The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire was used for an assessment of QoL. Data were obtained on depression, illness perception, social support, self-sufficiency, and severity of heart failure according to NYHA classifi cation. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann-Whitney test, and the Spearman correlation coefficient. Linear regression analysis was also performed. Results. Correlation analysis (p < 0.05) indicated that patients with reduced self-suffi ciency (r = -0.3529) and patients with more severe heart failure (r = 0.2642) reported a poorer QoL. Worse the illness perception (r = 0.4113), more frequent depression (r = 0.5470) and a worse subjective assessment of the state of health (r = 0.4394) indicated a worse QoL. The predictors of the total QoL score were depression (p = 0.000), illness perception (p = 0.001), self-sufficiency (p = 0.008), and subjective assessment of the state of health (p = 0.005). Conclusions. A comprehensive approach with an emphasis on improving QoL is necessary in the care of patients with chronic heart failure.