Perceived quality of life in patients with heart failure: a cross-sectional study among adults in Kingdom of Bahrain

• Published in: Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research 2023-01, Vol.41 (1), p.67-76
• Main Authors: Ghuloom, Amina Mohamed, Sanad, Hala Mohamed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Cross-sectional studies; Gender; Heart failure; Marital status; Nursing; Quality of life; Questionnaires; Sociodemographics; Standard deviation
• ISSN: 1985-9899; 2536-0051
• DOI: 10.1108/AGJSR-06-2022-0092

PurposeThe aim of this study is to assess the perceived quality of life of Bahraini patients with heart failure.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 250 patients aged 18 years and older was recruited using a cross-sectional design. Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire version three was employed to obtain data from participants on their socio-demographic characteristics and their perceived quality of life.FindingsThe mean age of patients was 69.0 ± 8.1 years and 78% were males. Almost half of the patients with third/fourth degree heart failure had difficulties in earning a living (48.4%) since they had long periods of hospital stays (49.2%). The quality of life is inversely proportional to the age of the patients with third/fourth degree heart failure (p < 0.001). Most of the patients had a poor quality of life (74.8%); about 21.6% had a moderate quality of life, while only few patients (3.6%) had a good quality of life.Originality/valueThe quality of life among Bahraini patients diagnosed with third/fourth degree heart failure is generally poor. Further, advanced age, low level of education, not currently married and low income were shown to be associated with poor quality of life. A need exists to include a quality of life assessment tool as part of the management of these patients.