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The effect of digoxin on the quality of life in patients with heart failure

Ellis Lader1, Debra Egan, Sally Hunsberger

  • 1New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.

Journal of Cardiac Failure
|March 4, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Digoxin did not improve health-related quality of life (HQOL) in patients with heart failure. This study found no significant differences in HQOL measures between digoxin and placebo groups over 12 months.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Clinical Trials
  • Health Outcomes Research

Background:

  • The Digitalis Investigation Group (DIG) trial assessed digoxin's effect on mortality in 7,788 heart failure patients.
  • A substudy specifically investigated digoxin's impact on health-related quality of life (HQOL) in a subset of these patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of digoxin therapy on health-related quality of life (HQOL) in patients with heart failure and sinus rhythm.
  • To determine if digoxin improves subjective well-being and functional status in this patient population.

Main Methods:

  • A subset of 589 patients from the DIG trial were randomized to receive either digoxin or placebo.
  • HQOL was measured using validated questionnaires assessing general health, physical functioning, and psychological well-being.
  • Functional status was further assessed via investigator assessment and a 6-minute walk test at baseline and 4- and 12-month follow-ups.

Main Results:

  • No statistically significant differences in baseline HQOL measures were observed between the digoxin and placebo groups.
  • At 4 months, only perceived health showed a marginal improvement in the digoxin group.
  • By 12 months, no significant differences were found in any HQOL measure, including perceived health, physical functioning, or depression, between the two groups.

Conclusions:

  • Digoxin therapy demonstrated no significant impact on health-related quality of life in patients with heart failure and sinus rhythm.
  • The findings suggest that digoxin does not offer benefits for quality of life in this specific patient group.
Abstract

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