HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (4) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Cenedese, E. Articles by Fischler, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Cenedese, E. Articles by Fischler, M.

Measurement of quality of life in pulmonary hypertension and its significance

Dept of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.

CORRESPONDENCE: R. Speich, Dept of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland. Fax: 41 12554451. E-mail: klinspr{at}usz.unizh.ch

Keywords: Prognosis, pulmonary hypertension, quality of life, vasodilator therapy

Received: November 7, 2005
Accepted May 2, 2006

Until recently, assessment of patients with pulmonary hypertension has mainly relied on functional and haemodynamic parameters. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL), however, has become increasingly important in defining overall health status.

The present study investigated the performance and clinical relevance of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure (MLHF) questionnaire by prospectively studying 48 patients with either pulmonary arterial hypertension (n = 26) or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (n = 22). The MLHF scores were correlated to various clinical and haemodynamic parameters. Prognostic outcome was evaluated by calculating the time taken to reach an adverse clinical event defined as death, lung transplantation or pulmonary endarterectomy.

The reliability of test–re-test and internal consistency of this HRQOL tool was high. The MLHF score and its physical subscore correlated moderately to well with functional and haemodynamic parameters, except in the case of pulmonary artery pressures. Both scores significantly improved during vasodilator therapy. This figure was surpassed only by the New York Heart Association/World Health Organization functional class. A multivariate analysis of all variables revealed that the MLHF score was the sole factor predicting subsequent outcome.

The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire is highly reproducible, consistent, and a moderately valid and responsive tool in assessing health-related quality of life in pulmonary hypertension. Moreover, it is a significant predictor of outcome in these patients.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Ulrich, M. Fischler, R. Speich, and K. E. Bloch Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension Chest, June 1, 2008; 133(6): 1375 - 1380. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				National Pulmonary Hypertension Centres of the UK Consensus statement on the management of pulmonary hypertension in clinical practice in the UK and Ireland Heart, March 1, 2008; 94(Suppl_1): i1 - i41. [Full Text] [PDF]

				National Pulmonary Hypertension Centres of the UK Consensus statement on the management of pulmonary hypertension in clinical practice in the UK and Ireland Thorax, March 1, 2008; 63(Suppl_2): ii1 - ii41. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Pepke-Zaba, C. Gilbert, L. Collings, and M. C. J. Brown Sildenafil Improves Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Chest, January 1, 2008; 133(1): 183 - 189. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]