Predictors of Health-related Quality of Life of Adults with Heart Failure

Background: Heart failure patients experience low health-related quality of life and poor health outcomes.\ud Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine interrelationships among and predictors of health-related quality of life of adults with heart failure.\ud Methods: This cross-sectional secondary analysis of 161 older (M=56.09 years ± 11.74), white (93.2%), male (69.6%) heart failure patients was prescribed angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and used electronic Medication Event Monitoring System. Ejection fraction, comorbid conditions, vitality, age, gender, income, prescription insurance, social support (appraisal, belonging, self-esteem, and tangible support by Interpersonal Support Evaluation List), medication regimen (number of prescribed medications and times per day medication is prescribed), medication adherence (days adherence and on-time adherence), general health perceptions, and health-related quality of life (Short Form-36 physical and mental component scores) were analyzed by simple and multiple linear regression.\ud Results: Vitality was positively associated with mental (p=<.001) and physical (p=<.001) component scores of health-related quality of life. Females (p=.033) and those with prescription insurance (p=.032) had decreased mental component scores, while on-time adherence (p=.043) was positively associated with mental component scores. Greater number of prescribed medications (p=.038) was associated with decreased physical component scores, while increased general health perceptions (p<.001) were associated with increased physical component scores. More comorbid conditions (p=.024) and increased social support (appraisal, p=.016) were associated with decreased vitality, whereas increased social support (self-esteem, p=.035) was associated with increased vitality. Higher income (p=.023) was associated with increased days adherence. Greater number of times per day medication is prescribed (p=.002) was associated with decreased on-time adherence, and higher ejection fraction (p=.032) was associated with increased on-time adherence. Vitality (p<.001) was positively associated with general health perceptions.\ud Conclusions: Interventions that incorporate these variables may reduce negative impacts on health-related quality of life and improve health outcomes in heart failure patients.\u