Factors affecting quality of life in Korean patients with chronic heart failure.
OBJECTIVE
Poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) may be one of the most common predictors of mortality and rehospitalization. This study was conducted to identify factors affecting HRQOL in Korean patients with CHF using two HRQOL measurements.


METHODS
The study included a sample of 114 patients. HRQOL was measured by the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and the World Health Organization's Quality of Life Instrument - Short Version (WHOQOL-BREF). Multiple regression analyses were performed to analyze the relationship between the factors and HRQOL.


RESULTS
Significant correlations were found between MLHFQ and WHOQOL-BREF in total and component scores, with the two exceptions of WHOQOL-BREF psychological and MLHFQ physical or total. The perceived economic status, functional status, and sex were factors identified as having an effect on HRQOL.


CONCLUSIONS
The MLHFQ was better able to differentiate sex, comorbidity, and functional status. Further studies are needed to implement cost-effective nursing interventions for patients with CHF to improve their HRQOL.
Nursing Policy and Research Institute, Biobehavioral Research Center, Division of Clinical Nursing Science, Yonsei University College of Nursing, Seoul, Korea.
Sang Hui
SH
Chu
Won Hee
WH
Lee
Ji Soo
JS
Yoo
So Sun
SS
Kim
Il Sun
IS
Ko
Eui Geum
EG
Oh
JuHee
J
Lee
Mona
M
Choi
Joo Young
JY
Cheon
Chi Young
CY
Shim
Seok-Min
SM
Kang
D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D056910:Republic of Korea
Korean patients; chronic heart failure; health-related quality of life