Weight loss and quality of life in chronic heart failure patients

To evaluate the impact of a planned body weight reduction on quality of life (QoL) in obese/overweight chronic heart failure (CHF) patients.

Thirty-four obese/overweight chronic heart failure patients (24 men, mean age 67.8 +/- 9.4 years) underwent a 6-month dietary programme. An assessment of clinical and biochemical parameters was executed before and after dietary programme. The QoL was judged by means of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) at baseline and at the end of the programme.

End-study BMI (P < 0.005) and body weight (P < 0.04) values were significantly reduced. We observed a significant improvement in the mean New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class value (P < 0.02) and in the left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) (P < 0.05). The end-study KCCQ scores were significantly increased in seven out of eight domains. We identified a cut-off value of body weight loss of 3 kg to separate responder patients from the nonresponder ones. Only responder group patients showed a significant variation in BMI (P < 0.04), body weight (P < 0.03), mean NYHA class value (P < 0.05), LVEF (P < 0.05). Moreover, all KCCQ domain scores significantly increased in the responder group only.

A diet-based body weight reduction improved the quality of life and, perhaps, the cardiac function. Benefits are already evident with a small reduction in body weight.