A comparison of health-related quality of life between older adults with heart failure and healthy older adults

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older adults with heart failure may be affected by a variety of variables including aging. It is important to determine the unique impact of heart failure to more effectively improve HRQOL in this population. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare HRQOL and physical, psychologic, clinical, and sociodemographic status in older adults with and without heart failure. METHODS: The HRQOL of 90 older adults with heart failure and 116 healthy older adults was compared. The factors best associated with HRQOL in each group were determined using multiple regression model. RESULTS: HRQOL was substantially worse among older adults with heart failure than among healthy older adults. Older adults with heart failure had more severe physical and emotional symptoms, poorer functional status, and worse health perceptions. Physical symptom status was the strongest predictor of HRQOL in both groups. In addition, in older adults with heart failure, physical symptom status, age, and anxiety were related to HRQOL. CONCLUSION: The poor HRQOL seen in patients with heart failure is not just a reflection of aging. Comprehensive interventions targeted toward the factors that specifically negatively impact HRQOL are essential in older adults with heart failure.