1. Introduction
Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) is a complex clinical conditions influencing patients’ Quality of Life (QOL) globally and its morbidity and mortality rate is increasing gradually [1] [2]. In Bangladesh, heart failure has been considered to be as the 4th leading cause of disability and mortality [3]. Approximately 55,912 of patients suffer from heart failure every year in Bangladesh [4], whereas around 26 million people suffer from heart failure across the globe [5]. In contrast, in India post admission mortality was estimated from 20% to 30% [6]. Co-morbidity of chronic heart failure patients included as IHD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dilated cardiomyopathy [7]. Previous study found that CHF patients experience a lower QOL than general population due to advanced clinical symptoms, disability and hospitalization [8]. These patients usually have poor daily living activity as a result of dyspnea, shortness of breath, fatigue, pain, anorexia, sleep disturbance and constipation [9]. CHF causes increase in infection, maximum use of health care resources, increase in treatment cost, increase in lengthy of hospital stay and excessive burden to the family and society which ultimately decrease the QOL of CHF patients [1] [10].
QOL considered as a more holistic view of medicine, a decisive factor to understand the impact of diseases and improve the quality of medical care [11]. CHF not only increases the risk of morbidity, mortality, and worsens the patients’ QOL, but also puts a huge burden on the overall health care system [12] [13]. One study reported poor QOL of CHF patients in all domains of physical component summary [14].
Various factors influence towards the QOL of patients with CHF. Those include modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Among modifiable factors, diabetes mellitus, systolic blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, antihypertensive medication use, hyperlipidemia, lipid-lowering medication use, use of hormone replacement therapy and lifestyle habits such as smoking status, physical inactivity and alcohol consumption were identified as critical factors for developing heart failure [15]. Prior study showed that hypertension was considered to be as the primary risk factor for developing heart failure in Bangladesh [16]. However personality, gender, age and heredity were identified as non-modifiable factors which constitute a good QOL [17]. Unmanageable factors contributed to developing complications such as pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, stroke, organ failure, sudden death and disabilities. These complications largely affected towards QOL of patients with CHF [18].
From the above discussion it is found that the factors influencing the QOL of CHF patients include personality, gender, age, diabetes mellitus, systolic blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, antihypertensive medication use, hyperlipidemia, lipid-lowering medication use, use of hormone replacement therapy and lifestyle habits. For promoting the quality of life it is necessary to identify the factors influencing quality of life of chronic heart failure patients. The study findings could act as a baseline data for further experimental study to evaluate the efficacy of lifestyle modification program for compromising these factors. It also provides necessary information for nurses to develop strategy for preventing factors influencing QOL of Chronic Heart Failure patient.
However, dearth of studies was conducted to identify the factors affecting the quality of life of CHF patients. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct this study at a specialized hospital in Bangladesh.
2. Methods
2.1. Study Design
A descriptive exploratory study design was conducted to identify the factors influencing the QOL of CHF patients at a specialized hospital in Bangladesh.
2.2. Study Participants
The participants were all Chronic Heart Failure patients admitted at a Specialized Hospital “National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease and Hospital”, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Average 777 patients receive their treatment from the hospital every day and average daily admitted patients were 197. This hospital was selected because about 200 beds are there in the Medicine ward, where around 500 chronic heart failure patients have been admitted monthly. Permission was obtained from the Director of the selected hospital through written order to collect the data.
Inclusion criteria:
1) Patients, who were diagnosed with chronic heart failure.
2) Patients, who were willing to participate, and aged over 18 years
3) Patients, who were able to read, speak, write and understand Bengali language.
Exclusion Criteria:
1) Patients with a documented history of psychiatric illness.
2) Patients who had a diagnosis of other life-threatening diseases (e.g. cancer).
Sample size
One hundred and forty two chronic heart failure patients were recruited from the selected specialized hospital of Bangladesh. The required sample size was calculated by G-Power software (Version 3.1.2) using an F test (Linear multiple regressions: fixed model R2 deviation from zero). Statistical parameters are set as follows: α = 0.05, small effect size (f2) = 0.15, power (1 − β) = 0.95, number of predictors = 16 [19]. The calculated sample size was 107. To reduce the attrition rate, 20% more subjects were added. Therefore, the final sample size was 142 in this study.
2.3. Instruments
Study variables included general characteristics of chronic heart failure patients, disease related characteristics, and disease related quality of life and general quality of life. Survey comprises four sections with previously validated 85 items explained in details below.
2.3.1. General Characteristics of the Participants (See Appendix 1.1)
Patients’ general characteristics were measured using a 14-items socio-demographic questionnaire. This questionnaire contained age, gender, religion, marital status, monthly income, educational level, job status, residence, smoking habit, history of heart disease, exercise, sodium intake and height and weight.
2.3.2. Disease Related Characteristics (See Appendix 1.2)
Disease related characteristics has been subdivided into three, including: 1) NYHA stage of heart failure and classification system (see Appendix 1.2.1), 2) co-morbidity (see Appendix 1.2.2), 3) medication (see Appendix 1.2.3).
2.3.3. NYHA Classification Questionnaire
Previously validated 4-items of NYHA Functional Classification questionnaire was used to identify the patients’ health status. The New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class was categorized into four classification system of physical functioning which was ranged from I no symptoms that have an impact on ordinary daily activities to IV symptoms occur at rest [20].
2.3.4. Co-Morbidity Related Questionnaire
Heart failure patients’ co-morbidities were identified by using 15-items the Charlson Co morbidity Index (CCI) [21]. The CCI was developed to assess the number and the seriousness of co-morbidities that may affect the risk of mortality. It is a summative scale which yields a score ranging from 1 only heart failure presents to 30 extensive co-morbidity. The inter-rater reliability of CCI and the intra-class correlation co-efficient of the questionnaire was yielded at chronbach’s alpha value of 0.67 and 0.93 respectively [22]. The internal consistency and reliability of this questionnaire was yielded at the chronbach’s alpha value of 0.71 in the current study.
2.3.5. Quality of Life of Chronic Heart Failure Patients
Quality of Life of Chronic Heart Failure Patients has been divided into two categories:
1) Disease Related Quality of Life and 2) General Quality of Life.
a) Disease Related Quality of Life of chronic heart failure patients (see Appendix 1.3)
Quality of Life of Chronic Heart Failure Patients is defined as “a person’s abstract impression of the impacts of a clinical condition or its treatment on his/ her everyday life” [23]. A Quality of life of chronic heart failure patients was measured by a21-item previously validated, the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHQOL). This scale was proposed in 1986 by the University of Minnesota consists of 21 questions asking about how much the disease and its treatment had affected the patient’s life in the last month. Respondents were asked to answer each question which was ranged from 0 no effect to 5 very much. A higher score indicated a worsen QOL. This questionnaire was subcategorized into two domains including the physical state of the patients (16 Items) and the mental state of the patients (5 items). The score of physical domain was ranged from 0 - 80, and the score of the mental state of the patients was ranged from 0 - 25. The total score of disease related quality of life was ranged from 0 - 105. Higher score indicated worsen quality of life of chronic heart failure patients. The internal consistency and reliabilities of the MLHFQ questionnaire was yielded at chronbach’s alpha value of 0.88 and 0.93 respectively [24]. The internal consistency and reliability of MLHFQ questionnaire was yielded at the chronbach’s alpha of 0.80 in the current study.
b) General Quality of Life of Chronic Heart Failure Patient (see Appendix 1.4)
General Quality of Life of Chronic Heart Failure Patientsis defined as “a fairly broad, multidimensional concept that includes symptoms of disease or health condition, treatment side effects, and functional status across physical, social and mental health life domains” [23]. Heart failure patients’ general quality of life was measured by using the 26 items with previously validated World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), which is a shorter version of the original instrument (WHOQOL-100). The instrument was subcategorized into physical health (7) psychological health (6), social relationships (3), environmental QOL (8) and total QOL (2). The items were rated on a 5 points Likert scale, and a higher score indicated better QOL. The internal consistency and reliability of the WHOQOL-BREF was yielded at chronbach’s alpha value of 0.90 which showed high reliability [25]. The internal consistency and reliability of this instrument was yielded at Chronbach’s alpha value of 0.73 in the current study.
Generally the disease related quality of life of chronic heart failure patient meant chronic heart failure patients live with the disease symptoms and is unable to do the normal daily living activities. So, their quality of life always become low level. Conversely general quality of life of chronic heart failure patients is well adherent to the treatment and are able to cope with the disease.
2.3.6. Translation Process of the Instruments
The translation-back translation technique was conducted by two bi-lingual translators. The first translator had translated the English version questionnaires into Bengali language. The second translator then translated the questionnaires from Bengali version back into English Language. Next, the two English versions of the questionnaires had been checked for clarity, discrepancy by the advisory committee who was expertise in heart failure management area from National Institute of Advanced Nursing Education and Research (NIANER), Dhaka, Bangladesh. The content equivalence of the items was also being checked by means of reconciling and evaluations performed by the translation team and health professionals.
2.4. Data Collection
Data were collected from 142 heart failure patients admitted in the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hospital in Dhaka and data collection period was from January to February, 2019. Prior to data collection, the study was approved by the BangoBandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Institutional Review Board and National Institute of Advanced Nursing Education and Research Institutional Review Board (IRB NO. Exp. NIA-S-2018-09) in Bangladesh. Researcher communicated with the patient with the help of Cardiologist and Nurses. Approximately 500 admitted patients were approached for data collection. Of 500, around 142 patients were agreed to participant in the study. With the approval and a letter of permission from the Director of the National Institute of Advanced Nursing Education and Research, (NIANER), Dhaka, the researcher asked for permission from the concern Authorities of the respected hospital through Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Researcher communicated with Professor of cardiology unit, nursing superintendents and charge nurses on the selected wards of the targeted hospital to meet with the study patients. Then researcher briefly introduced about the purpose of the study to the heart failure patients. The patients who were interested to participate in the study were invited to face-to-face interview conducted by the researchers. Participants were needed approximately 30 minutes to complete the questionnaire. A total of 142 respondents completed the interview were considered to be consent to participate. Their participation was completely voluntary and anonymity was guaranteed. Patients could be stopped or withdrawn their participation from the study at any time without any reason or penalty if they wish to, with no risk to their hospital, personal or treatment procedure. All necessary information collected from the subjects were kept confidential and placed in secure locked cabinet for three years and this would be destroyed after completion of the study.
Protection of Human Subjects
A waiver of consent was granted because this is a survey research. No risks were incurred and no identifiable information or sensitive question was asked to answer. Before data collection, written consent was taken from participants and asked not to include any identifiable information on the survey. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data through face-to-face interview. All patients were ensured that their participation would be voluntary. Approximately 30 minutes was required to fill-up the questionnaires.
The subjects’ confidentiality and anonymity was strictly maintained with code numbers. Subjects were allowed to withdrawn at any time without any reason. Subjects were informed that the findings of the study would be submitted to scientific journal for publication and presented at conferences. Surveys and code sheets would be secured in a locked file accessible only to the investigator. All necessary information collected from the subjects would be kept confidential and destroyed after completion of the study.
2.5. Data Analysis
The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize general characteristics of the patients, disease related characteristics, medication adherence of the patients, and disease related quality of life and general quality of life of heart failure patients. Associations between influencing factors and quality of life of patients were examined using independent sample t-tests and one way analyses of variance (ANOVA), with Schéffe post-hoc tests. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to explore the relationship between continuous variables. A value of p = 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
3. Results
Results are presented under the following headings.
3.1. Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Participants
One hundred and forty two chronic heart failure patients were participated in the face-to-face interview sessions. Fourteen (14) questions were asked to collect the participants’ general characteristics. Among 142 patients (see Table 1) the mean age of participants was 58.74 years (SD = 12.27). Majority (85.9%) of the patients were male. Most of the patients (85.9%) were Muslim and married (97.2%) respectively. In terms of education, majority of the patients (70.4%) had held primary education, 12% patients had held secondary education, and very few patients had held higher secondary education. On the other hand, very few (2.8%) patients had held master degree. Considering occupation, above one third (37.3%) of the patients was Housewives or Farmer, and quarter (24.6%) of the patients was Businessman. The mean family income of the patients was 20,302.82 taka (SD = 12,306.94) and most (69.7%) of the patients’ monthly family income was around 20,000 taka. The patients mostly (81%) lived in rural area. The mean BMI of the patients was calculated as 22.56 (SD = 4.31) and most of their (57.7%) BMI was at low level (<23). In contrast, quarter of the patients’ BMI was at high level (>25). Majority patients (89.4%) did not perform regular exercise. Most of the patients (55.6%) took high sodium. Majority of the patients (72.5%) were past smoker. According to disease condition, above one third (35.2%) of the patients had a family history of heart disease.
3.2. Disease Related Characteristics of the Participants
Twenty four (24) questions were used to collect data on the patients disease related characteristics.
![]()
Table 1. Socio-demographic characteristics of participants (N = 142).
Disease related characteristics of the chronic heart failure patients were measured using Heart Failure Stage and Functional Class developed by New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification system; Charlson’s Co-morbidity Index and medication (see Table 2). Based on NYHA classification, Class I means mild heart failure with ordinary physical activity which does not cause undue fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea or angina pain. Class II also means mild heart failure meaning that they are comfortable at rest. Ordinary physical activity results in fatigue, dyspnea, palpitation, or angina pain. Class III means moderate heart failure meaning that they are comfortable at rest. Less than ordinary physical activity results in fatigue, palpitation, and dyspnea or angina pain. Class IV means severe heart failure meaning that an inability to carry on physical activity without any discomfort, heart failure or angina syndrome may be present. According to findings, the majority (90.8%) of the participants were classified as NYHA III and IV. Very few (4.2%) patients were classified as NYHA class II. Majority (98.6%) of the patients had co-morbid disease conditions. Most of the participants were prescribed a number of medication (M = 5.78, SD = 0.87) especially Anticoagulants (98.6%), Diuretics (98.6%), Lipid lowering drugs (97.9%), Beta-blocker (88%), Calcium channel blocker (86.6%), and ACE-I (85.9%).
![]()
Table 2. Disease related Characteristics of the Participants (N = 142).
NYHA: New York Heart Association.
3.3. Quality of Life of Chronic Heart Failure Patients
Quality of life of chronic heart failure patient has been divided into two categories:
1) Disease Related Quality of Life and 2) General Quality of Life.
3.3.1. Disease Related Quality of Life of Chronic Heart Failure Patients
A previously validated 21-items MLHFQ was used to measure the disease related quality of life of chronic heart failure patients.
Table 3 represents the distribution of frequency and percentage of disease related quality of life of CHF patients. According to findings, it shows that the mean of the total MLHFQ was at 94.16 (SD = 3.20) out of maximum of 105 point which was considered to be as high score of disease related QOL. Higher score indicates worse disease related quality of life of heart failure patients. In terms of item analysis, it shows that all CHF patients had difficulty in working around the house or yard, difficulty in going away from home or places, difficulty in doing things with their friends and family, difficulty in short of breath. However all patients were tired, fatigue and low on energy. All of the patients stayed in a hospital and all of their medical cost was high. All patients were worried and depressed. However, majority of the CHF patients (98.6%) had sat or lie down to rest during the day leg and most of them (96.5%) had difficulty in walking or climbing stairs. Huge number of patients (92.3%) had difficulty in working to earn. Above half (62.7%) of the CHF patients had swelling in ankles or legs and most of them (71.8%) had difficulty in sleeping at night. More than half of the patients (64.1%) ate less of the foods. Above half of them (62.7%) experienced side effect of the treatment and same percentage of the patients felt a loss of self-control in their life.
3.3.2. General Quality of Life of Chronic Heart Failure Patients
General quality of life of chronic heart failure patients was measured by using a previously validated 26-item WHOQOL-BREF tool with 5-point Likert scale. Lower score indicated low quality of life of chronic heart failure patients. Higher score indicates better quality of life. Table 4 shows the distribution of frequency, percentage, mean and SD of General QOL of CHF patients. The results shows that the mean WHOQOL-BREF score was calculated as 41.05 (SD = 5.109) out of maximum of 130 points. It means that Chronic Heart Failure Patients’ general quality of life was at low level. It indicates worsen general quality of life of CHF. All the sub-dimensions of WHOQOL-BREF scale also shows low level of general quality of life. Those included as Overall (M = 1.24, SD = 0.25), Physical (M = 1.39, SD = 0.19), Psychological (M = 1.76, SD = 0.37), Social (M = 1.23, SD = 0.17) and Environmental (M = 1.81, SD = 0.29). According to item analysis, it shows that majority of the patients’ (74.6%) quality of life was very poor. However most of the patients (76.1%) were dissatisfied with their health. All CHF patients had severe physical pain or problem that prevented them from doing what they would have needed to do. All of the patients needed constant medical
![]()
Table 3. Disease related quality of life of chronic heart failure patients (N = 142).
![]()
Table 4. General quality of life of chronic heart failure patients (N = 142).
treatment to function in their daily life. Most patients (65.5%) were dissatisfied with their sleep. They experienced negative feelings such as blue mood, despair, anxiety, depression very frequently. However, majority of the CHF patients (97.2%) had no ability to perform their daily living activities satisfactorily. The same percent was associated with no satisfaction with their capacity for work. Huge number (89.4 %) of patients was dissatisfied with their support they had got from their friends. Most (76.1%) of the patients were very dissatisfied with their capacity for work, a large number (74.6%) of patients rated their quality of life was very poor. Majority (80.3%) of them felt that their life is not meaningful at all. Huge (77.5%) number of them did not enjoy their life at all. A greater number (74.6%) were dissatisfied with their transport. Above half of them (65.5%) were dissatisfied with sleeping. More than half of the patients (62.7%) were dissatisfied with their personal relationship and above half of them (58.5%) had a little opportunity for leisure.
3.4. Relationship between Demographic Characteristics and Disease Related QOL and General QOL of Chronic Heart Failure Patients
Table 5 shows the relationship of the disease related QOL and general QOL with the Socio-demographic characteristics of the CHF patients. There is no significant difference between age and disease related QOL and general QOL. There is no significant difference between gender and disease related QOL of the patients but there is statistically significant differences between gender and general QOL (t = −2.451, P = 0.015). It means that female patients have better general QOL than male patients. In terms of Education there is significant difference within the patients those who had higher education than those who had little education (t = −2.864, p = 0.005). It indicates that the patients had better general QOL who had higher education than the little educated patients. The patients who had low monthly family income had very very significant differences with those who had high. It signify that the patients with low income status had lower QOL both in the general (F = 8.096, P = 0.000) and disease (F = 11.930, P = 0.000) related measures. There is a significant difference in QOL within the patients who lived in urban area (t = 2.068, p = 0.040) than those of the rural area. It means that QOL is higher in the patients who lived in urban area than the rural area. The participants with low BMI exhibited low (r = 0.171, p = 0.042) general QOL. There is also a significant difference between smoking status and general QOL of the patients (t = 3.138, p = 0.002) meaning that QOL is lower in the patients with smoker than those of the non-smoker patients.
3.5. Association between Disease Related Characteristics and Disease Related QOL and General QOL (N = 142)
Table 6 shows the association between Quality of life and NYHA heart failure functional class and co-morbidity related characteristics of the participants. The findings reveal that NYHA heart failure functional class was associated with
![]()
Table 5. Relationship between demographic characteristics and both the disease related QOL and general QOL of chronic heart failure patients (N = 142).
disease (P = 0.003) related QOL. The poorer QOL was associated with the lower functional status. The disease related QOL Score was higher with presence of one or more co-morbidity. The general QOL score was lower with presence of one or more co-morbidity.
3.6. Correlations between Chronic Heart Failure Patients’ QOL and General QOL (N = 142)
Pearson’s Correlation between the total, physical and emotional dimensions of the WHOQOL-BREF and MLHFQ are shown in Table 7.
Results revealed that there is a positive correlation between MLHFQ Physical and MLHFQ Mental (r = 0.583, p = 0.000) meaning that worsen Physical condition indicated the worsen mental condition. MLHFQ physical (r = 0.893, p = 0.000), and Mental (r = 0.886, p = 0.000) were strongly positively correlated with total MLHFQ. It means that the worsen physical and mental condition of MLHFQ highly affected the total QOL of MLHFQ.
Physical (r = 0.298, p = 0.000) and psychological (r = 0.509, p = 0.000) dimensions of WHOQOL-BREF were positively significantly correlated with total dimension of WHOQOL-BREF.
![]()
Table 6. Association between disease related characteristics and disease related QOL and general QOL (N = 142).
![]()
Table 7. Correlations between diseases related QOL and general QOL (N = 142).
Dimensions of Physical (r = −0.248, p = 0.000), mental (r = −0.180, p = 0.000) and total (r = −0.241, p = 0.000) of MLHFQ were significantly correlated with the psychological dimension of WHOQOL-BREF except total two dimensions of it.
Correlation is very significant at 0.01 level (2-tailed). Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed). Higher score in the MLHFQ represent worse QOL and lower score in the WHOQOL-BREF represent worse QOL.
4. Discussion
The study was carried out to identify the factors influencing the QOL of the Chronic Heart Failure patients with one hundred and forty two CHF patients at National Institute of Cardio-vascular Diseases and hospital. Findings reveals that sex, residence, monthly income, education, smoking status, marital status and NYHA heart failure classification have effect on the CHF patients’ QOL.
The mean of the total CHF disease related QOL was 94.16 (SD = 3.20) out of maximum of 105. This high score indicates worsen QOL of CHF patients. The finding of this current study is similar with the previous study in Serbia [28]. In Serbian study, the mean score of CHF disease related QOL was 50.4. Although cultural context, educational background and economic status were different between Serbia and Bangladesh, poor QOL of CHF patient was found between the countries. This might be due to life style, age, sex, and income or unaware of risk factors for developing CHF. However result is opposite to Korean study. In Korean study the aim was to identify the factors affecting HRQL in Korean patient with CHF using two health related QOL measurements. Study found that CHF disease related QOL was at low level which indicated better able to differentiate sex, co-morbidity and functional status. This dissimilar finding could be due to higher educational status, more health awareness about CHF and high economic status of the heart failure patient in Korea [9].
The mean score of general QOL of CHF patients was calculated as 41.05 (SD = 5.109) out of maximum of 130 which indicates low level of general quality QOL of CHF patients. The result of this study is consistent with the Korean study. In Korean study the mean score of general QOL of CHF patient was at low which indicates very worsen general QOL [9].
In the present study monthly income was identified as one of the major factor associated with QOL, which is similar to the Serbian study. The financial difficulties negatively affect HRQOL which might be due to loss of their jobs and increases in medication expenses because of HF or increase in life expectancy or increasing prevalence of heart failure in the aging population [26] [27].
Little education (70.4%) was related to worsen general QOL. This is in accordance with the findings of the Serbian and Korean study, which has reported better physical QOL in highly educated patients [9] [28]. Education level and its close association with socio-economic status are predictive of reduced quality of life [29]. A possible explanation is that low financial sources along with inability to understand medical instructions imply lack of adherence to treatment and therefore, reduced effectiveness of disease management [29].
Living in rural area is related to the worsen disease related QOL of the CHF patients, which is differed from the study conducted in Attica [29]. Reduced total QOL was associated with living in country capital may be due to the stressful everyday living [29]. However rural patients might have limited access to health care services including cardiac rehabilitation interventions and are more likely to be readmitted due to the exacerbations of disease [29]. There was worsening general QOL score with male which is almost consistent with the findings of Korean study. Worsen disease related QOL was found among male. This is might be due to a lack of medication adherence or negligence to the prevention of primary disease symptoms, smoking, high salt intake or increase risk of cardiovascular diseases with male sex associated with family history. While other studies have reported worse HRQOL in women [26] due to low income, lower educational status or depression associated with the disease.
Marital status had influence on disease related QOL may be due to increasing age, excessive family burden, low socio-economic status, life style, depression which were differed from the results of the Korean study and another study found better HRQOL in married subjects [30] or who were living with spouse [28]. This dissimilarity might be due to differences in socio-demographic context, exchange of support between family members and others frequently, both providing and receiving [31] [32].
According to this study findings worsen QOL was associated with the NYHA heart failure functional class III and IV among the participants. This is consistent with Serbian study. This is may be because of CHF patients often experience loss of functional independence in daily activities such as feeding, dressing, housekeeping, bathing, and walking [29] and the most common symptoms affecting QOL are dyspnea at rest or on exertion, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and fatigue as well as lack of energy [29], which may be due to presence of multiple co-morbidities and side effects from medication or non-adherence to the treatment, or from the negligence of the primary symptoms. In contrast to Korean study, the majority (52.6%) were classified as NYHA II. This is may be due to awareness about disease, higher education, efficient caregiver role or family support and improved health management system of the country [33].
Dimensions of Physical, mental and total of MLHFQ were significantly correlated with the psychological dimension of WHOQOL-BREF except total two dimensions of it, which is consistent with the Korean study where each dimension’s scores on the WHOQOL-BREF was correlated with those of the MLHFQ. This may be because of the worsened physical condition affected mental health; worsen physical and mental condition of CHF patients which were highly affected towards total QOL.
The burden of CHF is expected to raise considerably due to the incidence of CHF increases two folds for each decades of life. Personal, economic and health care burden of CHF is expected to increase more in the future as life expectancy of people increases, placing further pressure on the finite health care resources [34]. Recently, the American Heart Association identified the following patient behaviors required for self-management of CHF, adherence to prescribed medications, diet and exercise, symptom and weight monitoring, fluid and alcohol restrictions, cessation of smoking, informing their physician of any no prescribed medication they may be administrating, including complementary therapies, and incorporating preventive behaviors into their lifestyle [34] [35]. Recent systematic reviews suggested that the advanced practice registered nurse can provide a cost-effective alternative for labor-intense HF management [34] [36] [37].
However, to increase and improve nurses’ roles, the author suggests that registered nurse should support the development and adaptation of a disease-management program for patients with CHF in Bangladesh and promote the centrality of nursing in these programs to reduce the economic burden of patients and improve their QOL [34].
5. Conclusions
The study found that total monthly income, functional status, education, residence, smoking, sex and NYHA class were greatly affected QOL of CHF. Obtaining an assessment of a patient’s difficulty in affording health care may be important in uncovering potential explanations for low QOL. Further study needs to be conducted to eliminate healthcare disparities based on economic status and to facilitate cost-effective nursing intervention strategies for the patients with CHF.
The current study has number of limitations, which should be noted. First, time limitation. Second, small sample size. Third, the study was conducted only in one setting in Bangladesh therefore; the current study result cannot be generalized to other settings.
Recommendations
Future study is indicated to measure the QOL of CHF patients in large scale. Developing cost effective strategy for life style modification and disease management program is useful to reduce and prevent factors influencing quality of life for the patients with chronic heart failure.
Acknowledgements
My sincere gratitude goes to Thesis Chair Dr. Md. Shariful Islam, whose constructive advices, clear explanations and clean cut instructions help me in completion of this dissertation. Special thanks extends to my Co-advisors Dr. Mohammad Nurul Anowar, for his enthusiastic involvement and assistance and Dr. Abdul Latif for his dedicated contribution and motivational guidelines. I appreciate the Professor of Emeritus Chung Yul Lee, Former Director, for her valuable assistance and suggestions.
I express my heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Dilip Thomas Rozario, who avails the opportunity for publishing. Off course, I must acknowledge to all Physicians, nurses, staffs and the patients, who helped and allowed me to collect the data. I express my profound gratitude to all my family members for their dedicated and relent less assistance.
Lastly, I would like to dedicate my dissertation to the memories of my parents (late). You are missed every moment.
Appendix 1: Questionnaire (English Version)
Date …………………
The questionnaire is divided into four sections. Section one consists of questions related to participants’ Socio Demographic Questionnaire (SDQ-14), section two consists of Disease related Questionnaire (DRQ-24), section three consists of Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ-21) regarding the disease related QOL and section four consist of WHOQOL-BREF-questionnaire (26 items) related to general QOL of CHF patients.
1.1. Section 1. Socio Demographic Questionnaire
Instruction: Please fill up the blanks and put tick (√) mark in the left side, which is appropriate for you.
1) What is your current age? ……………..years.
2) What is your height? .………………….cm
3) How much your weight? ………………Kgs
4) What is your sex?
a. Male b. Female
5) What is your religion?
a. Islam b. Hinduism c. Buddhism
d. Christian e. Others
6) Where is your living area?
a. Urban b. Rural
7) What is your marital status?
a. Single b. Married c. Widowed
d. Divorced e. Separated
8) What is your educational level?
a. Analphabet b. Primary c. Secondary
d. Higher secondary e. Bachelor f. Masters g. Others
9) What is your job status?
a. Employee b. Housewife/Farmer c. Retired
d. Unemployed e. Business f. Others
10) What is your smoking status?
a. Never smoker b. Past smoker c. Current smoker
11) Do you have any history of heart disease in your family?
a. Yes b. No c. Do not know/unknowing
12) How many times do you exercise? ……….………………………/week.
13) What is the total monthly income of your family? ………………TK only.
14) Do you take low sodium?
a. Yes b. No
1.2. Section 2: Disease Related Questionnaire Is Subdivided Into Three Parts
1.2.1. Heart Failure Stages and Functional Classifications
Class I (Mild): Ordinary physical activity does not cause undue fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea or angina pain.
Class II (Mild): They are comfortable at rest. Ordinary physical activity results in fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea, or angina pain.
Class III (Moderate): They are comfortable at rest. Less than ordinary activity causes fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea, or angina pain.
Class IV (Severe): inability to carry on any physical activity without discomfort heart failure or the angina syndrome may be present.
1.2.2. Factors Related to Co-Morbidity: Please Identify the Presence of Any Disease According to Charlson Co-Morbidity Index
1) What is your current age? …..………years.
a. <50 years b. 50 - 59 years c. 60 - 69 years
d. 70 - 79 years e. >80 years
Do you have the following disease?
2) Diabetes mellitus
a. None b. Uncomplicated c. End organ damage
3) Liver Disease
a. None b. Mild c. Moderate
4) Malignancy
a. None b. Any Leukemia, lymphoma, or localized solid tumor
c. Metastatic solid tumor
5) Myocardial Infarction
a. No b. Yes
6) COPD
a. No b. Yes
7) Peripheral Vascular Disease
a. No b. Yes
8) CVA or TIA
a. No b. Yes
9) Dementia
a. No b. Yes
10) Hemiplegia
a. No b. Yes
11) Connective tissue disease
a. No b. Yes
12) Peptic ulcer disease
a. No b. Yes
13) Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (AIDS)
a. No b. Yes
14) Chronic Kidney Disease
a. No b. Yes
15) Chronic Heart Failure
a. No b. Yes
1.2.3. CHF Medications Adherence
Instruction: Identify the Number of heart-related medications taken daily
NB: Please put tick (√) mark on the word of “yes” or “no” in following box which is more appropriate for.
1.3. Section 3: Consists of Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ-21) regarding CHF Related QOL Factors
Factors related to CHF that affect patients’ life during the past month (4 weeks). After each question, circle the 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 to show how much your life was affected. If a question does not apply to you, circle the 0after that question.
Did your heart failure prevent you from living as you wanted during the past month (4 weeks) by
1.4. Section 4: WHOQOL-BREF Questionnaire Related to General QOL of CHF Patients
The following question asks how you feel about your quality of life, health or other areas of your life. I will read out each question to you, along with the response options.
Instruction: Please choose the answer that appears most appropriate. If you are unsure about which response to give to a question, the first response you think of is often the best one. We ask that you think about your life in the last four weeks.
The following question asks about how much you have experienced certain things in the last four weeks.
The following question asks about how completely you experience or were able to do certain things in the last four weeks.
The following question refers to how often you have felt or experienced certain things in the last four weeks.