The effect of persistent anxiety and depressive symptoms on quality of life among patients with heart failure

Anxiety and depressive symptoms interfere with physical and psychological status, worsening symptoms and quality of life (QoL) among patients with heart failure (HF). This study assesses the impact of persistent anxiety and depressive symptoms on QoL among patients with HF in Jordan.This was a prospective observational study of a consecutive sample with a confirmed diagnosis of HF, recruited from four hospitals in Jordan during the period 1-31 March 2020. QoL was measured using the Arabic version of the Short Form 36 Health Survey, while anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression.Of 127 patients who participated in the study, 72 (56.7%) were persistently anxious and 60 (47.3%) were persistently depressed. In multiple regression models, persistent anxiety, persistent depression, and higher levels of New York Heart Association functional class were independent predictors for both Physical Component Summary (of which history of DM was another predictor) and Mental Component Summary. The model explained 78.4% of the variance for PCS, P < 0.05. These predictors reduced QoL/(PCS) by 0.261, 0.398, 0.09, and 0.325 units respectively. Mental Component Summary (MCS) regression model explained 76.1% of the variance, P < 0.001. These predictors reduced QoL/(MCS) by 0.286, 0.346, and 0.359 units respectively.Persistent anxiety and depressive symptoms were associated with poor QoL among patients with HF. It is highly recommended to assess psychological health for the patients with HF, especially anxiety and depression, and to include this dimension in treatment protocols.