Depression and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Background: Chronic heart failure is labelled as an epidemic of the 21st century with serious consequences dramatically reducing life expectancy with a negative impact on quality of life. Impaired quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure is linked to depression which is diagnosed in as many as 36.5% of the patients. Aim: The aim of the research was to determine the level of quality of life and depression and their relatedness in patients with chronic heart failure and to compare the observed variables with a control group. Methods: The research was carried out at cardiologic departments of three hospitals in the Czech Republic between October 2015 and April 2016. The research sample included patients admitted to hospital for chronic cardiac failure. The research survey used two standardized questionnaires: quality of life questionnaire WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire depression and BDI-II. Results: The results of the survey show that there is a significant difference in quality of life between the examined population and the control group. The results also suggest that there is a statistically significant difference in the rate of depression among the examined population and the control group. It can be concluded that there is a significantly negative relationship between overall quality of life and depression in patients with a chronic heart failure. Conclusions: Early diagnosis and depression management could lead to overall better quality of life of these patients as well as to decrease in the number of hospitalizations.