# Clinical and Comorbidity-Related Factors Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Heart Failure: A Cross-Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study identifies factors that improve or worsen quality of life in heart failure patients, including age, sex, and comorbid conditions.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into clinical and comorbidity-related factors affecting quality of life in heart failure patients.

## Key findings

- Female sex and certain comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension were linked to better quality of life.
- Advanced age, obesity, and higher NYHA class were associated with worse quality of life.
- Valvular heart disease and sleep apnea also negatively impacted quality of life.

## Abstract

Heart failure is one of the most prevalent conditions worldwide, exerting a substantial impact on both prognosis and quality of life. It affects both psychological and physical domains, leading to multiple limitations in patients’ daily lives. Background/Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to identify clear factors related to disease severity, living conditions, and associated comorbidities that may negatively influence the quality of life of patients with heart failure. Methods: This study had a cross-sectional observational design and was conducted between 2024 and 2025 in the Department of Internal Medicine of the CF University Hospital in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. A total of 122 patients (mean age 67.9 ± 9.69 years, 62% women) diagnosed with heart failure, regardless of ejection fraction, and hospitalized in the Internal Medicine department during the study period were included. All participants self-administered the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. Results: The analysis identified several factors associated with better quality of life, including female sex, atrial fibrillation with electrostimulated heart rhythm, type 2 diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, hepatitis, and chronic gastritis. Conversely, several factors were found to have a negative association with quality of life, such as advanced age, obesity, higher New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, reduced ejection fraction, valvular heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, cervical–thoracic–lumbar polydiscopathy, hyperthyroidism, and hepatic steatosis. Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of key factors associated with quality of life in patients with heart failure.