[Disease-specific quality of life in primary care patients with heart failure]

Quality of Life (QoL) is an important predictor of mortality and re-admission in patients with heart failure (HF). Our aim was to analyze disease-specific quality of life and its relationship to psycho-social factors and HF severity.

In primary care patients with HF, quality of life (MLHFQ), anxiety, depression (HADS) and negative affectivity (DS-14), disease coping (FKV) and social support (F-SozU) were measured by validated questionnaires. Severity of HF (according to NYHA classification and Goldman's Specific Activity Scale) and sociodemographic characteristics were documented by self-report instruments.

363 patients from 44 general practices participated in the study (191 [52.6%] female). Women had more physical but not more emotional problems than men. Increased emotional and physical problems and global disease-related impairment in QoL (F = 63.29; p < 0.001) correlated with higher HF classes. Using regression analysis, more than 50% of the QoL values were predicted by psychological variables and perceived severity (significant for depression [HADS; p < 0.001], coping by dissimulation and wishful thinking [FKV; p = 0.027], HF severity [NYHA, Goldman;

Psychosocial distress is a strong predictor of QoL impairment in primary care patients with HF. Because of its impact on both long-term prognosis and disease-specific QoL, psychosocial symptoms should be considered essential for the diagnosis and therapy in the routine care of patients with HF.