Comparative responsiveness of Short-Form 12 and Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire in patients with heart failure.

Abstract

The Short-Form 12 (SF-12) and Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire (LHFQ) are commonly used to measure quality of life (QOL) in heart failure outcomes research. Their comparative responsiveness, however, has not been documented. A prospective cohort study was conducted among patients attending a university-based heart failure clinic between April 1997 and September 1998. All patients received comprehensive heart failure care management. QOL of patients was assessed by the SF-12 and LHFQ at baseline and 3 months. Of 87 patients completing follow-up, the mean change score was 10.1 for the LHFQ and 5.8 for the SF-12 (both Ps < .001). The change scores of the instruments were correlated (r = 0.61; P < .001). The SF-12 had a greater ability than the LHFQ to statistically detect change in physical health but was less sensitive to changes in mental health. The LHFQ performed better than the SF-12 in the ability to distinguish the differences in perceived global health transition. The LHFQ is more responsive than the SF-12 to changes in QOL. The SF-12 should not be used alone to measure the changes in QOL of patients with heart failure.