Assessing the diversity and determinants of health‐related quality of life measures in patients with acute heart failure

Abstract

Aims

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) significantly impacts health‐related quality of life (HR‐QoL). Existing HR‐QoL questionnaires can show inconsistencies, potentially misrepresenting patient self‐reports. This study examines the variation in HR‐QoL measurement tools for HFrEF patients, identifying related determinants.

Methods and results

We retrospectively analysed 134 hospitalized patients with acute decompensated HFrEF at a Taiwanese tertiary centre's Heart Failure Post‐Acute‐Care (HF‐PAC) programme. Participants completed the EuroQol‐5 dimension (EQ‐5D) questionnaire, the EQ‐5D visual analogue scale (VAS), and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). Utility values were obtained from the EQ‐5D questionnaire. Demographic features were depicted using descriptive statistics, while multivariate regression was used to ascertain relationships between HR‐QoL measurements and determinants. Average scores for EQ‐5D, MLHFQ, EQ‐5D utility, and VAS were 6.1 ± 1.6, 21.8 ± 21.3, 81.7 ± 27.0, and 59.5 ± 14.6, respectively. Significant correlations were observed among the three tools. The New York Heart Association functional class showed a notable association with all tool scores. Other associations encompassed EQ‐5D with coronary artery disease, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and the 6 min walk test; EQ‐5D VAS with chronic kidney disease; and MLHFQ with age.

Conclusions

This study illuminates the variance in HR‐QoL measurement tools for Taiwanese HFrEF patients. Using a range of these tools is beneficial in unveiling diverse determinants and approaching comprehensive patient‐centred care. However, for a more precise HR‐QoL assessment in Taiwanese HFrEF patients, recalibrating the EQ‐5D‐derived utility scores might be necessary, emphasizing the importance of patient‐specific considerations within the HF‐PAC programme.