Quality of Life Assessment in Heart Failure Patients: Insights from a Low- to Middle-Income Country.

The majority of heart failure patients had poor or very poor quality of life, with only one-quarter having good QoL.

• Total of 320 patients were included in the analysis
• 81 (25.3%) were categorized as having good QoL, 83 (25.9%) as moderate, 99 (30.9%) as poor, and 57 (17.8%) as having very poor QoL
• The median overall QoL score was 50.5 (interquartile range 32–75)
• QoL was assessed using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12)

Age greater than 70 years was independently associated with poor quality of life in multivariable analysis.

• Adjusted odds ratio for age >70 years was 2.93 (95% CI: 1.06–8.06)
• Only 25 (7.8%) patients were older than 70 years in the study sample
• Mean age of the overall cohort was 54.9 ± 12.7 years
• Association was identified in multivariable analysis controlling for other factors

Presence of diabetes was independently associated with poor quality of life in heart failure patients.

• Adjusted odds ratio for diabetes was 2.76 (95% CI: 1.66–4.61)
• Diabetes had the narrowest confidence interval among the three independent predictors, suggesting a more precise estimate
• Association was identified in multivariable analysis
• Results underscore the need for targeted interventions to manage comorbidities, particularly diabetes

Non-adherence to medication was independently associated with poor quality of life in heart failure patients.

• Adjusted odds ratio for non-adherence to medication was 1.72 (95% CI: 1.07–2.77)
• Non-adherence was identified as a modifiable independent predictor of poor QoL
• Association was identified in multivariable analysis
• Authors underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve medication adherence

The study population consisted predominantly of male patients with a median heart failure duration of two years.

• 257 (80.3%) of 320 patients were male
• Mean age was 54.9 ± 12.7 years
• Median time since HF diagnosis was 24 months (interquartile range 12–60 months)
• Study included consecutive patients aged 18–80 years diagnosed with HF with reduced ejection fraction for at least six months presenting to outpatient department for routine clinical follow-up
• Study was conducted in a low- to middle-income country context