Correlation between medication regimen complexity and quality of life in patients with heart failure

To determine if a correlation exists between the medication regimen complexity index (MRCI) and quality of life (QoL) in patients with heart failure (HF) assessed using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ).

Retrospective chart review from July 2012 through June 2018 identified patients for inclusion who completed an MLHFQ. Baseline and, if available, follow-up MLHFQ scores were collected. The medication list documented on the date of the MLHFQ was used to calculate the MRCI.

Patients with a documented MLHFQ score were included (n = 72) in the primary analysis. No correlation existed between baseline MRCI and MLHFQ (r = 0.07; p = 0.55). A secondary analysis of correlation between change in MRCI and MLHFQ was conducted for patients (n = 30) with a follow-up MLHFQ score. A moderate, negative correlation (r = -0.47; p = 0.009) existed between change in MRCI and MLHFQ from baseline to follow-up.

No significant correlation between MRCI and MLHFQ scores were found at baseline. Patients with follow-up MLHFQ scores demonstrated improvements in QoL, despite increasingly complex medication regimens. Medication regimen complexity alone is likely an insufficient marker for predicting QoL in patients with HF.