To assess the quality of life in patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease

Abstract

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is an inflammatory disease of the heart, and it has major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. It has significant impact on the quality of life of RHD patients. Objective: To assess the Quality of life in patients with chronic Rheumatic heart disease. Materials and methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at the Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi for a period of 18 months. Study subjects are the patients who were diagnosed with chronic rheumatic heart disease at the outpatient department. A total of 500 subjects suffering from RHD and 100 Controls without RHD were identified during the study period. SF-36 health survey questionnaire was used to interview the subjects. The scores of health survey questionnaire was analysed descriptively and ANOVA is used to find out the significant differences. SPSS version-20 was used for data analysis. Results: Out of 600 subjects, 500 were the cases and 100 were the controls. 54.4% were males and 45.8% were females. Majority of the cases were belonged to the age group 36–40 years (19%) with the mean age group 35.7±9.2 years. 80% of the subjects were identified with moderate rheumatic heart disease and 20% were severe. Physical functioning, role of limitations due to physical health and emotional problems, social functioning and health change has shown the significant difference. Conclusion: It was seen that most of the domains of SF-36 were significant from which we can conclude that there is the relation between RHD and quality of life. Considering the poor quality of life in rheumatic heart disease patients, multimodal approach (psychiatric consultation, enrolment in mental support group, and occupational help) to provide overall care to a rheumatic heart disease patient should be considered.