Quality of life assessment in heart failure interventions: a 10-year (1996–2005) review

Pharmacotherapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and health-related quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

The aim of this study was to synthesize the evidence on the effect of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) pharmacotherapy on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform in June 2020. Randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating contemporary HFrEF pharmacotherapy and reporting HRQoL as an outcome were included. Two reviewers independently assessed studies for eligibility, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias and GRADE certainty of evidence. The primary outcome was HRQoL at last available follow-up analysed using a random-effects model. We included 37 studies from 5770 identified articles. Risk of bias was low in 10 trials and high/unclear in 27 trials. High certainty evidence from meta-analyses demonstrated improved HRQoL over placebo with sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors [standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08-0.23] and intravenous iron (SMD 0.52, 95% CI 0.04-1.00). Furthermore, high certainty evidence from ≥1 landmark trial further supported improved HRQoL with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (SMD 0.09, 95% CI 0.02-0.17), ivabradine (SMD 0.14, 95% CI 0.04-0.23), hydralazine-nitrate (SMD 0.24, 95% CI 0.04-0.44) vs. placebo, and for angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) compared with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (SMD 0.09, 95% CI 0.02-0.17). Findings were inconclusive for ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, digoxin, and oral iron based on low-to-moderate certainty evidence.

CONCLUSION

ARBs, ARNIs, SGLT2 inhibitors, ivabradine, hydralazine-nitrate, and intravenous iron improved HRQoL in patients with HFrEF. These findings can be incorporated into discussions with patients to enable shared decision-making.

Prognostic value of health-related quality of life in elderly patients hospitalized with heart failure

Purpose: Previous research has shown that poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is associated with adverse long-term prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF); however, there have been inconsistencies among studies and not all of them confirmed the prognostic value of HRQOL. In addition, few studies involved elderly patients and most focused on all-cause mortality and HF-related hospitalization as outcomes. The aim of our study was to determine whether HRQOL is a predictor and an independent predictor of long-term cardiac mortality, all-cause mortality, and HF-related rehospitalization in elderly patients hospitalized with HF.

Patients and methods: This prospective observational study included 200 elderly patients hospitalized with HF in Serbia. HRQOL was measured using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire (MLHFQ). The median follow-up period was 28 months. The primary outcome was cardiac mortality, and all-cause mortality and HF-related rehospitalization were secondary outcomes. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox-proportional hazards regression.

Results: Subjects with poor HRQOL (higher than the median MLHFQ score) had a higher probability of cardiac mortality (P=0.029) and HF-related rehospitalization (P=0.001) during long-term follow-up. Poor HRQOL was an independent predictor of cardiac mortality (HR: 2.051, 95% CI: 1.260–3.339, P=0.004), all-cause mortality (HR: 1.620, 95% CI: 1.076–2.438, P=0.021), and HF-related rehospitalization (HR: 2.040, 95% CI: 1.290–3.227, P=0.002).

Conclusion: HRQOL is an independent predictor of long-term cardiac mortality in elderly patients hospitalized with HF. It also independently predicts all-cause mortality and HF-related rehospitalization. HRQOL could be used as a complementary clinical predictive tool in this patient population.

Telemonitoring and Quality of Life in Patients after 12 Months Following a Pacemaker Implant: the Nordland Study, a Randomised Trial

The purpose of this study was to analyse the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients followed up using a remote device-monitoring system (TM) compared to patients followed up through standard outpatient visits (HM), 12 months after the implantation of a pacemaker. This was a trial design that used the EuroQol-5D Questionnaire and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHF). The HRQoL of a cohort of 50 consecutive patients randomly allocated to one of the two follow-up modalities was measured at baseline and then during follow-up, 12 months after the pacemaker implantation. Eventually, 23 patients were followed-up through standard outpatient visits, while 23 used a remote monitoring system. Results: The baseline clinical characteristics and health-related quality of life of the patients from both groups were observed to be statistically similar. Twelve months after the pacemaker implantation, both groups showed statistically significant improvements in the baseline parameters based on the MLHF. The patients followed up through hospital visits showed a greater increase in MLHF-HRQoL after 12 months, although the increase was not significantly greater than that of the TM group. Furthermore, the frequencies of emergency visits and re-hospitalisations did not differ between the groups.

Effectiveness of a telephone-delivered psycho-behavioural intervention on depression in elderly with chronic heart failure: rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Depression is common among chronic heart failure (CHF) patients, and it is associated with significant re-hospitalization and mortality as well as lower quality of life. While psychotherapy is efficacious treatment for depression, the effect for depression among CHF is uncertain. And barriers preclude widely utility of psychotherapy among the elderly. Telephone-delivered psycho-behavioural intervention specifically focuses on depression among the elderly with CHF, and could be a promising alternative to conventional treatment. The present study was designed to prospectively investigate the effect of a telephone-delivered psycho-behavioural intervention on depression in the elderly with chronic heart failure (CHF).

METHOD/DESIGN

In this prospective, multicentre, parallel, randomized, and controlled trial, 236 participants with depression associated with CHF (New York Heart Association classes II and III) will be enrolled. The study will consist of a 12-week intensive intervention and a 24-week maintenance intervention. Eligible participants will be randomized to either the intervention arm or the control arm. During the intensive phase, participants will receive either a guided telephone psycho-behavioural intervention or regular telephone contacts from the counsellors weekly. During the maintenance phase, participants will receive either psychological behavioural support or regular telephone contacts monthly from counsellors. Depressive symptoms, cardiac outcome and quality of life will be assessed at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 36. Participants will undergo echocardiography and the plasma concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) tested at baseline, weeks 12 and 36. The primary outcome is the response rate of depression, from baseline to week 12. The second outcomes include the change in cardiac function, quality of life and severity of depressive symptoms during the trial.

DISCUSSION

To our knowledge, this study is the first prospective randomized trial to test the effective of the telephone-delivered psycho-behavioural intervention on depression in the elderly with CHF. The findings are expected to provide a new and evidence-based approach for depression among the elderly with CHF.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (identification number: NCT03233451 ) on 28 July 2017 and updated on 18 August 2017.

The Utility of 5 Hypothetical Health States in Heart Failure Using Time Trade-Off (TTO) and EQ-5D-5L in Korea

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Utility provides a preference for specific health state in economic evaluation, and they obtained from general population could be useful in respect of societal resource allocation. We aimed to investigate the utilities of health states for heart failure (HF), a major and growing public health problem, related to hospitalization and adverse drug effects by interrogating the general Korean population.

METHODS

Five health states for patients with HF were developed based on literature reviews: stable chronic heart failure (SCHF), hospitalization, SCHF + cough, SCHF + hypotension, and SCHF + hyperkalemia. We selected 100 individuals from the general population through quota sampling by age, sex, and region, and conducted face-to-face interviews. We measured utilities for 5 hypothetical health states of HF using both time trade-off (TTO) and EuroQol-5 dimensions-5 levels (EQ-5D-5L). Repeated-measures analysis of variance compared the utilities between all health states for each instrument. To identify the factors affecting the utility, a linear mixed model (LMM) analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The mean utility value for SCHF, SCHF + cough, SCHF + hypotension, SCHF + hyperkalemia, and hospitalization was calculated as 0.815, 0.732, 0.646, 0.548, and 0.360, respectively, by using TTO. The respective values using EQ-5D-5L were 0.871, 0.793, 0.710, 0.589, and 0.215. The utilities for HF significantly differed between all health states in each instrument (p < 0.001). In LMM analysis, hospitalization had a significantly negative effect on the utilities of both instruments.

CONCLUSIONS

The utilities decreased in order of SCHF, SCHF + cough, SCHF + hypotension, SCHF + hyperkalemia, and hospitalization. These results can be useful for decision making in resource allocation for HF interventions.

Thai version of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire: psychometric testing using a longitudinal design

Background: The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) is the most widely used diseasespecific instrument for heart failure (HF). However, a Thai version of the MLHFQ has not been available yet. Objective: Test the psychometric properties of the Thai version of the MLHFQ in terms of practicality, reliability, validity, and responsiveness, using a longitudinal design. Methods: One hundred eighty HF outpatients (mean age: 65±12 years; 58% male) were interviewed at Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok between December 2008 and August 2009. Practicality was assessed with interview-times. Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach’s α and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Validity was tested with correlations between the MLHFQ scores and the SF-36 scores, confirmatory factor analysis, and known-groups validity. Responsiveness was observed with effect sizes (ES) and minimal clinically important differences (MCID). Results: The averaged interview-time was approximately five minutes. The Cronbach’s α and ICCs of the MLHFQ were 0.86-0.93 and 0.84-0.88, respectively. The MLHFQ scores were moderately correlated with the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) scores, and discriminated the patients with different classes by New York Heart Association. The average ES were medium, ranging from 0.2 to 0.5. The MCID ranged from 1.4 to 14.5 for improved patients and from -1.4 to -12.7 for worsened patients. Conclusion: The Thai version of the MLHFQ showed acceptable psychometric properties. It can be used as a disease-specific instrument to measure health-related quality of life of Thai patients with HF.

Evaluation of Quality of Life in Patients with and without Heart Failure in Primary Care

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is a major public health issue with implications on health-related quality of life (HRQL).

OBJECTIVE

To compare HRQL, estimated by the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), in patients with and without HF in the community.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study including 633 consecutive individuals aged 45 years or older, registered in primary care. The subjects were selected from a random sample representative of the population studied. They were divided into two groups: group I, HF patients (n = 59); and group II, patients without HF (n = 574). The HF group was divided into HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF - n = 35) and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF - n = 24).

RESULTS

Patients without HF had a mean SF-36 score significantly greater than those with HF (499.8 ± 139.1 vs 445.4 ± 123.8; p = 0.008). Functional capacity - ability and difficulty to perform common activities of everyday life - was significantly worse (p < 0.0001) in patients with HF independently of sex and age. There was no difference between HFpEF and HFrEF.

CONCLUSION

Patients with HF had low quality of life regardless of the syndrome presentation (HFpEF or HFrEF phenotype). Quality of life evaluation in primary care could help identify patients who would benefit from a proactive care program with more emphasis on multidisciplinary and social support. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2017; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0).

Exercício intenso e suplementação de testosterona em portadores de insuficiência cardíaca

INTRODUÇÃO: O sono é um estado natural e recorrente, no qual acontecem processos neurobiológicos importantes. A má qualidade do sono está diretamente A insuficiência cardíaca (IC) é uma síndrome com alterações neuroendócrinas, limitações funcionais associadas à baixa qualidade de vida. Há pouco conhecimento dos efeitos do exercício físico de alta intensidade e terapia de suplementação de testosterona (TST) em portadores de IC e hipotestosteronemia.OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos do exercício de alta intensidade associado a TST na qualidade de vida e potência aeróbia destes pacientes.MÉTODOS: Dezenove pacientes portadores de IC (idade media, 58 ± 10 anos; fração de ejeção, 34 ± 8%) foram randomizados para o grupo exercício de alta intensidade (controle; n=9) e exercício de alta intensidade com suplementação hormonal (intervenção; n=10). Os Pacientes exercitaram-se (40 minutos, 90% do consumo máximo de oxigênio) três vezes semanalmente durante 12 semanas. O grupo intervenção recebeu testosterona na primeira e sexta semanas. Antes e após o período de estudo foram obtidas medidas da capacidade funcional e escores do Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire.RESULTADOS: No intragrupo controle e intervenção, respectivamente, houve aumento do pico de consumo de oxigênio (12% vs. 15%; p CONCLUSÃO: Exercício de alta intensidade melhora a capacidade funcional e escores da QV após 12 semanas de tratamento.

Capacidade funcional como preditor de qualidade de vida na insuficiência cardíaca

INTRODUÇÃO: A insuficiência cardíaca (IC) prejudica a qualidade de vida (QV), enquanto a reabilitação cardiopulmonar e metabólica (RCPM) de pacientes com a síndrome proporciona melhora da capacidade funcional (CF) e da qualidade de vida. OBJETIVOS: Determinar a relação dos domínios da QV com a CF de pacientes com IC, assim como propor pontos de corte dos domínios da QV por meio da CF. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Avaliou-se 57 pacientes com IC, classe funcional II e III, sendo 37 ingressantes (GI) no programa de RCPM e 20 participantes (GP) com mais de três meses de programa. A QV foi avaliada pelo questionário de Minnesota por meio dos domínios físicos, emocionais e dimensões gerais. A CF foi determinada por meio do teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6'), tendo pontos de corte definidos conforme proposto na literatura. Utilizou-se teste t de Student, correlação de Pearson e análise da curva ROC para responder aos objetivos da pesquisa, considerando significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Participantes da RCPM apresentaram melhores escores da QV quando comparados aos ingressantes. Correlações significativas foram observadas entre o domínio emocional e TC6' para ambos os grupos. Verificou-se pontos de corte significativos dos domínios da QV advindos da CF, com destaque ao domínio emocional (sensibilidade/especificidade) para ambos os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Os portadores de IC com mais de três meses de RCPM apresentaram melhor QV e capacidade funcional do que os iniciantes. O domínio emocional do questionário de Minnesota se mostrou um bom preditor de ponto de corte da capacidade funcional.

Quality of life and chronic heart failure therapy guided by natriuretic peptides: results from the ProBNP Outpatient Tailored Chronic Heart Failure Therapy (PROTECT) study

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) treatment guided by amino-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) may reduce cardiovascular event rates compared to standard-of-care (SOC) management. Comprehensive understanding regarding effect of NT-proBNP guided care on patient-reported quality of life (QOL) remains unknown.

METHODS

One hundred fifty-one subjects with HF due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction were randomized to either SOC HF management or care with a goal to reduce NT-proBNP values ≤1000 pg/mL. Effects of HF on QOL were assessed using the Minnesota Living with HF Questionnaire (MLHFQ) quarterly, with change (Δ) in score assessed across study procedures and as a function of outcome.

RESULTS

Overall, baseline MLHFQ score was 30. Across study visits, QOL improved in both arms, but was more improved and sustained in the NT-proBNP arm (repeated measures P = .01); NT-proBNP patients showing greater reduction in MLHFQ score (-10.0 vs -5.0; P = .05), particularly in the physical scale of the questionnaire. Baseline MLHFQ scores did not correlate with NT-proBNP; in contrast, ∆MLHFQ scores modestly correlated with ∆NT-proBNP values (ρ = .234; P = .006) as did relative ∆ in MLHFQ score and NT-proBNP (ρ = .253; P = .003). Considered in tertiles, less improvement in MLHFQ scores was associated with a higher rate of HF hospitalization, worsening HF, and cardiovascular death (P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

We describe novel associations between NT-proBNP concentrations and QOL scores among patients treated with biomarker guided care. Compared to SOC HF management, NT-proBNP guided care was associated with greater and more sustained improvement in QOL (Clinical Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.govNCT00351390).

Evaluation of changes in quality of life among Turkish patients undergoing ventricular assist device implantation

BACKGROUND

Ventricular assist device (VAD) application has become an increasingly common method to treatment end-stage heart failure. In this study we evaluated the effect of VAD implantation upon the quality of life among Turkish patients with end-stage heart failure.

METHODS

Twenty-eight VAD implantation patients included 3 (10.7%) with biventricular support using the Berlin Heart Excor; 15 (53.6%), left ventricular support with the Berlin Heart Excor; and 10 (35.7%), Heartware implantation for left ventricular support. The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Questionnaire were used to assess changes in the quality of life (QOL).

RESULTS

Of the 28 patients, 2 were females (7.1%) and 26 were males (92.9%) of overall mean age of 44.6 ± 15.3 years (range, 8-66). Preoperative mean score of MLHFQ was significantly improved at 200.4 ± 147.4 days follow-up (72.8 ± 11.5 vs 13.7 ± 10.5; P < .05). SF-36 physical scores and mental scores were improved postoperatively (physical scores, 20.0 ± 24.4 vs 70.2 ± 19.9; mental scores, 38.4 ± 18.8 vs 73.9 ± 15.7; P < .05). No significant relation was observed between the postoperative scores of questionnaires and type of surgery. More improvement in postoperative MLHFQ scores was seen in patients younger than 45 years of age (P = .027). The severity of chronic heart failure (CHF) regressed from New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV to NYHA class II in 26 and to NYHA class III in 2 patients (P = .000).

CONCLUSION

The QOL among patients with end-stage heart failure improved dramatically soon after VAD implantation.

What is the methodological and reporting quality of health related quality of life in chronic heart failure clinical trials?

BACKGROUND

Although the number of clinical trials assessing health related quality of life (HRQoL) in chronic heart failure (CHF) has increased exponentially over the last decade, little is known about the quality of reporting. The purpose of this review was to assess the methodological and reporting rigor of HRQoL in RCTs of pharmacological therapy in CHF.

METHODS

The electronic data bases, Medline and EMBASE were searched from 1990 to 2009 using the key search terms 'heart failure' combined with 'quality of life', 'pharmacological therapy' and 'randomized controlled trials'. A total of 136 articles were identified and evaluated according to the "Minimum Standard Checklist (MSC) for Evaluating HRQoL Outcomes".

RESULTS

According to the MSC criteria, 26 (19.1%) studies were considered 'very limited', 91 (66.9%) were 'limited' and only 19 (14.0%) studies were considered to be of a 'probably robust' in terms of methodological and reporting rigor. In fact, the quality of HRQoL reporting has not improved over time.

CONCLUSION

HRQoL is a critical consideration in CHF management, yet reporting is highly variable. There is a need to develop a standardized method for measuring and reporting HRQoL measures in clinical trials to aid in the interpretation and application of findings.

Cardiac rehabilitation programs and health-related quality of life. State of the art

Cardiovascular disease is the main health problem in developed countries. Prevention is presented as the most effective and efficient primary care intervention, whereas cardiac rehabilitation programs are considered the most effective of secondary prevention interventions; however, these are underused. This literature review examines the effectiveness and the levels of evidence of cardiac rehabilitation programs, their components, their development and role in developed countries, applications in different fields of research and treatment, including their psychological aspects, and their application in heart failure as a paradigm of disease care under this type of intervention. It is completed by a review of the impact of such programs on measures of health-related quality of life, describing the instruments involved in studies in recent scientific literature.

Explanation of the variance in quality of life and activity capacity of patients with heart failure by laboratory data

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to explain the variance in quality of life (QoL) and activity capacity of patients with congestive heart failure from pathophysiological changes as estimated by laboratory data.

METHODS

Peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2) and ventilation (VE)/carbon dioxide output (VCO2) slope derived from cardiopulmonary exercise testing, plasma N-terminal prohormone of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and echocardiographic markers [left atrium (LA), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)] were measured in 62 patients with congestive heart failure, who also completed the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire and the Specific Activity Questionnaire. All regression models were adjusted for age and sex.

RESULTS

On linear regression analysis, peak VO2 with P value less than 0.001, VE/VCO2 slope with P value less than 0.01, LVEF with P value less than 0.001, LA with P=0.001, and logNT-proBNP with P value less than 0.01 were found to be associated with QoL. On stepwise multiple linear regression, peak VO2 and LVEF continued to be predictive, accounting for 40% of the variability in Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire score. On linear regression analysis, peak VO2 with P value less than 0.001, VE/VCO2 slope with P value less than 0.001, LVEF with P value less than 0.05, LA with P value less than 0.001, and logNT-proBNP with P value less than 0.001 were found to be associated with activity capacity. On stepwise multiple linear regression, peak VO2 and LA continued to be predictive, accounting for 53% of the variability in Specific Activity Questionnaire score.

CONCLUSION

Peak VO2 is independently associated both with QoL and activity capacity. In addition to peak VO2, LVEF is independently associated with QoL, and LA with activity capacity.

Growth hormone deficiency in patients with chronic heart failure and beneficial effects of its correction

CONTEXT

A reduced activity of the GH/IGF-I axis in chronic heart failure (CHF) has been described by several independent groups and is associated with poor clinical status and outcome.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the current study was to investigate the prevalence of GH deficiency in a patient population with CHF and evaluate the cardiovascular effects of GH replacement therapy.

DESIGN AND SETTING

The randomized, single-blind, controlled trial was conducted at the Federico II University.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred fifty-eight patients with CHF, New York Heart Association class II-IV, underwent a GH stimulation test. Sixty-three patients satisfied the criteria for GH deficiency, and 56 of them were enrolled in the trial.

INTERVENTION

The treated group (n = 28) received GH at a replacement dose of 0.012 mg/kg every second day (approximately 2.5 IU).

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

Changes in physical performance and various cardiovascular indexes were measured.

RESULTS

GH replacement therapy improved quality of life score (from 46 +/- 5 to 38 +/- 4; P < 0.01), increased peak oxygen uptake and exercise duration (from 12.9 +/- .9 to 14.5 +/- 1 ml/kg x min and from 520 +/- 36 to 586 +/- 43 sec, respectively; P < 0.01), and flow-mediated vasodilation (from 8.8 +/- 1.3 to 12.7 +/- 1.2%; P < 0.01). GH increased left ventricular ejection fraction (from 34 +/- 2 to 36 +/- 2%; P < 0.01) and reduced circulating N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels (from 3201 +/- 900 to 2177 +/- 720 pg/ml; P = 0.006). No significant changes from baseline were observed in controls.

CONCLUSIONS

As many as 40% of patients with CHF are GH deficient. GH replacement therapy in these patients improves exercise capacity, vascular reactivity, left ventricular function, and indices of quality of life.