[Quality of life, depression and cognitive functions 2. Methodological aspects and data quality]

To document the degree of reliability of validated and mainly qualitative questionnaires most often used in research settings and/or projects, in a broad network of unselected cardiological centres; to assess whether the quality of data could be compatible with their use not only as descriptive but also in prognostic scores including mainly "hard" clinical variables.

Eighty-three patients were included. Compliance with the self-administration of the Kansas City Cardiomiopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was very high throughout the study (KCCQ 97.7% baseline and 85.8% at three years). As expected more difficulties were encountered with the Mini Mental State Examination (administered to 80.6% patients baseline and to 54.3% at three years). Main reasons for not administering questionnaires was ascribed to organizational and patients problems.

It is worth noticing that the study was conducted by nurses without economical incentives. The questionnaires were well completed with minimal missing data. If questionnaires are well presented to patients, a routine assessment of quality of life and depression could be feasible in everyday care.