الملخص الإنجليزي
Abstract:
Purpose – The aim of this study is to assess the perceived quality of life of Bahraini patients with heart failure.
Design/methodology/approach – A 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.
Findings – The 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/value – The 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.
