Impact of obesity on quality of life and depression in patients with heart failure.
BACKGROUND
The effect of obesity on health related quality of life (HRQOL) and depression in a number of disease states is well documented, but its impact in heart failure (HF) patients remains speculative. We therefore examined the relationship between obesity, HRQOL, and depression in 358 patients with HF.


RESULTS
Comparative analyses were conducted to determine if body mass index (BMI) was associated with HRQOL and depression in three groups of patients with HF-normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2, n = 100), overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2, n = 141), and obese (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2, n = 117). Obese patients were younger than normal and overweight participants; all other demographic and clinical characteristics were similar. HRQOL and depression scores were significantly higher (worse) for obese patients. Body mass index was significantly correlated with all 3 scales of HRQOL (overall, r2 = .160; physical, r2 = .162; and mental, r2 = .217) as well as with depression (r2 = .166).


CONCLUSIONS
Obese patients with HF are more likely to have poorer HRQOL, physical health, emotional well-being and depressive symptoms. Poorer HRQOL is predictive of worse outcomes in patients with HF; however, given the apparent obesity paradox in HF, further investigation of the impact of obesity in HF is urgently required.
Evangelista
Lorraine S
LS
School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, 700 Tiverton, Factor Building, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6918, USA. levangel@ucla.edu
Moser
Debra K
DK
Westlake
Cheryl
C
Hamilton
Michele A
MA
Fonarow
Gregg C
GC
Dracup
Kathleen
K
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life