Clark DO, Tu W, Weiner M, Murray MD. Correlates of health-related quality of life among lower-income, urban
adults with congestive heart failure. Heart Lung. 2003;32(6):391-401
BACKGROUND: Improving health-related quality of life (HRQL) is a primary goal in the treatment of patients
with congestive heart failure (CHF), yet few studies have explored correlates of HRQL among CHF patients.
OBJECTIVES: We report on the association of demographic and pathophysiologic measures, social-cognitive measures,
and environmental variables with HRQL as measured by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), Chronic
Heart Failure (CHQ), and a single question of perceived overall health (PH).
METHODS: Cross-sectional data were obtained from the baseline interview and electronic medical records of 212
patients 50 years of age and older who were enrolled during the first 7 months of a medication adherence study. o
RESULTS: Mean age was 63; 32% were male; 53% were black; the mean Charlson comorbidity score was 3.7; and the
mean New York Heart Association class was 2.1. Correlations between KCCQ and CHQ subscale scores and PH ranged
from 0.16 to 0.37. Multivariate regression analyses showed that the pathophysiologic measures ejection fraction
and comorbidity were not associated with any of the HRQL measures. Overall PH was associated with greater age and
more positive health beliefs. Persons of greater age, males, and black respondents had higher CHF-specific HRQL
scores, as did persons reporting more positive health beliefs, greater income, social support, and communication
with their physician. Variance explained ranged from 14 to 33%.
CONCLUSION: These cross-sectional data highlight the potential significance of social and behavioral factors in CHF-specific HRQL.
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