Quality of life in patients with chronic congestive heart failure

Objective: Quality of life (QOL) is severely decreased in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Our study aims to identify the factors affecting the evaluation of QOL. Material and Methods: Clinical, demographic, social and economic data was collected from patients with CHF in NYHA class III and IV as part of a complex workup. The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) was used to evaluate QOL. Results: QOL decreases as the NYHA class increases. Women evaluate their QOL as more severely affected than men. Age, social and economic factors modulate the perception of QOL. Conclusion: Combining demographic, social and economic data and evaluation of QOL can provide valuable and useful information for the medical management of patients with CHF.