Correlation Between Cognitive Function And Quality Of Life In Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

Objective 1. To investigate the level of cognitive function in hospitalized patients with chronic heart failure. 2. To explore the influencing factors of cognitive function in hospitalized patients with chronic heart failure. 3. To assess the correlation between cognitive function and quality of life in hospitalized patients with chronic heart failure.Methods Between June 2014 and August 2015, we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study at the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, the largest and most comprehensive hospital in Tianjin, China. A convenience sample of 188 consecutive patients hospitalized for heart failure was investigated with a self-designed demographic questionnaire, Montreal Cognitive Assessment(Mo CA), Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire(MLHFQ), Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS) and Social Support Rating Scale(SRSS). A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explore the potential influencing factors of cognitive function in hospitalized patients with chronic heart failure. The association between cognitive function and quality of life in hospitalized patients with chronic heart failure was assessed by t-test, and Pearson or Spearman correlation.Results The total score of cognitive function in hospitalized patients with chronic heart failure was 25.01±2.94 points. According to the Mo CA scores, cognitive impairment was present in 54.8%(103 of 188) of participants. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, educational level, left ventricular ejection fraction, atrial fibrillation and depression influenced cognitive function in hospitalized patients with chronic heart failure. The total score of cognitive function was negatively correlated with the total score of quality of life(P<0.05), and the total score of quality of life in patients with cognitive impairment was higher compared to those with normal cognitive function(P<0.05).Conclusion The level of cognitive function in patients with chronic heart failure is low and affected by age, educational level, left ventricular ejection fraction, atrial fibrillation and depression. The lower the level of cognitive function is, the lower the level of quality of life will be. Therefore, clinicians and nurses should routinely assess cognitive function in patients with chronic heart failure, identify cognitive impairment as soon as possible, and then provide targeted interventions to improve their cognitive function and quality of life.