Evaluation of the quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease : using two measuring assessment tools

Abstract EN

Background : Coronary heart diseases (CHD) are considered to be as a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) test and assessment is considered as a major an important measuring tool of the disease effects results and other variables related to the patient’s life.

Objectives: The purpose of this observational study is to assess and compare the quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at Al-shaab Teaching Hospital, where 100 patients with definite diagnosis of CHD were responded.

The data was collected using two quality of life assessment tools: the Seattle angina questionnaire (SAQ) (disease specific measuring tool) and the SF-36 questionnaire (generic measuring tool).

Results: Based on the 1) SAQ, out of the 50 patients who were recruited, the patients physical functioning in terms of activities performed 58% said “not limited” and 42 % said “limited” in case of chest pain 26 % noted “much more often” while 10 % “much less often” Based on the 2) SF-36, out of the 50 patients who were recruited, the patients physical functioning in terms of activates performed 26% said “no, not limited” and 74 % said “limited”.

34 % had felt full of life “all the time” while 10 % “none of the time”.

Conclusion : HRQL measurement gives health care providers an additional tool for the assessment of the impact of specific clinical decisions on the health status of patients.

Of the SAQ and SF-36, the SAQ offers more reliable assessment of quality of life.