Low quality of life as an additional criterion for the clinical diagnosis of heart failure in primary care.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to estimate the association of shortness of breath (SOB), fatigue and bilateral lower limb edema (LLE) - typical symptoms of HF - with quality of life (QOL) dimensions, measured by the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted as part of the CAMELIA study (Cardiometabolic Renal Familial Study), which involved families covered by the Family Doctor Program (FDP) in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The study included 455 patients aged 30 and over, assessed by questionnaire, medical consultation, and blood and urine tests. RESULTS The prevalence of symptoms was: fatigue 56.9%, SOB 22.6% and LLE 16.9%. There were independent and statistically significant associations between SOB and fatigue and all SF-36 dimensions, excepting emotional performance and SOB (p<0.10). CONCLUSION The combination of SOB and fatigue with low QOL can increase the positive predictive value for a clinical diagnosis of HF and is a possible alternative for prioritizing patients for closer investigation in a primary care setting.