Functional Aerobic Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients with Heart Failure by Body Mass Index Category and...

Improved survival has been described in obese patients with heart failure (HF). However, whether this survival advantage is accompanied by better functional status has not been investigated in depth. Therefore, this study aimed to determine differences in clinical characteristics, functional aerobic capacity, and health-related quality of life among HF patients with different BMIs.

Cross-sectional descriptive study, 4 groups of patients with HF were compared according to BMI (underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese). Sociodemographic and clinical variables were assessed using the Duke Activity Status Index, the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Functional aerobic capacity was also assessed. The ethics committee approved the study, and all patients provided written informed consent.

A total of 170 patients with HF were admitted; most were men. Arterial hypertension was more frequent in the obese group 33(84.6%) P = .032. Obese patients had higher waist circumference (103.9 ± 10.66 cm) and body fat (34.44 ± 7.33%; P < .05). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol was higher in the normal-weight group (50.72 ± 10.14 mg/dL; P < .05). The underweight group walked the shortest distance (231.5 ± 42.8 m), and the overweight group walked the longest (260.89 ± 45.1 m; P < .05). The obese group had higher MLHFQ scores (P < .05).

The study population was predominantly male. Obese patients had a higher prevalence of arterial hypertension, greater waist circumference, higher body fat percentage, and higher MLHFQ scores. The overweight group walked the greatest distance.