Predictors of Health-Related Quality-of-Life Status Among Elderly Patients With Cardiovascular Diseases.

OBJECTIVES

Quality of life is an important patient-reported outcome in the care of older patients with chronic diseases owing to aging-associated limited physical activity and poor health status. The current study aimed to evaluate health-related quality of life and its predictors among elderly cardiac outpatients.

METHODS

A descriptive, nonexperimental, cross-sectional study was carried out from May 2018 to October 2018 in outpatient departments of a tertiary-care hospital. The population under study were patients aged ≥65 years with at least 1 cardiovascular condition. The EQ-5D-3L (Euro QOL) and Barthel index were used to measure the quality of life and performance of activities of daily living, respectively. Linear regression analysis was performed by using SPSS version 21.

RESULTS

Of a total of 386 patients, 198 patients (51.3%) reported impairment in the mobility domain, and 70.5% (n = 272) of patients indicated impairment in the depression domain. Mann-Whitney tests revealed EQ-5D scores, and visual analogue scale scores significantly differed by hospital admissions (P = .001), fall history (P < 0.001), and activities of daily living (P < .001). Kruskal-Wallis analysis revealed that EQ-5D index value and visual analogue scale score were significantly lower among patients who had comorbidities and who were exposed to polypharmacy (5-9 medications) (P < .001). In multivariate linear regression analysis, self-reported health (P = .006) and performance of activities of daily living (P < .001) were reported as influencing factors on health-related quality of life.

CONCLUSION

Findings indicated poor quality of life among older patients with cardiovascular diseaese or heart diseases in Pakistan. Measures should be taken to improve patients' perception and to enhance awareness regarding the importance of doing daily living activities as a predictor of good quality of life.