Impact of physical activity, health literacy and cognitive health on quality of life in dyslipidemia: an observational study

TL;DR

This study explores how physical activity, health literacy, and cognitive health affect quality of life in people with dyslipidemia.

Contribution

The study identifies specific associations between physical activity, health literacy, cognitive health, and quality of life sub-domains in dyslipidemia patients.

Findings

Health literacy and cognitive health are linked to better quality of life in dyslipidemia.

Physical activity is associated with specific quality of life sub-domains like pain and social functioning.

Cognitive functions and health literacy are key predictors of quality of life in this population.

Abstract

While statin therapy is primary intervention, lifestyle changes are also essential for managing blood lipids. Treatment success may be influenced by personal factors, such as health literacy, cognitive health, physical activity (PA). This study aimed to investigate the impact of PA, health literacy, and cognitive health over quality of life in dyslipidemia. Fifty-five patients were included in this study. Quality of life (36-Item Short Form Health Survey [SF-36]), health literacy (European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire [HLS-EU-Q47]), cognitive status (Mini Mental State Examination [MMSE]), and PA (International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form [IPAQ]) were evaluated. Physical functioning, physical role limitation, pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional well-being sub-domains of SF-36 were associated with HLS-EU-Q47 (p < 0.05). Physical functioning, physical role limitation, pain and social functioning sub-domains of SF-36 were associated with MMSE (p < 0.05). Pain and social functioning sub-domains of SF-36 were associated with moderate PA score and daily sitting time of IPAQ, physical role limitation and emotional role limitation sub-domains of SF-36 were associated with walking score of IPAQ, emotional role limitation sub-domain of SF-36 was associated with total PA score of IPAQ (p < 0.05). Quality of life is an important indicator of general health, and enhanced health literacy and cognitive functions are associated with better quality of life in dyslipidemia. On the other hand, PA may be associated with quality of life, cognitive functions and health literacy in dyslipidemia. Increased health literacy and cognitive functions provide a better quality of life in dyslipidemia.

Trial registration: “Are Exercise Capacity and Physical Fitness Related With Quality of Life, Physical Activity, Cognitive Health and Health Literacy in Dyslipidemia” NCT06563154 (submitted at 17.08.2023 to clinicaltrials.gov).