Abstract | BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to examine pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients' quality of life (QOL) for the first time in Finland. METHODS: RESULTS: There were 62 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and 53% of respondents rated their health as moderate. Similarly, 55% of respondents rated their health status approximately the same compared to their situation 1 year ago. QOL was impaired in all other subscales, except for the mental health and mental component score. A majority of patients suffered from PH symptoms, which worsened their QOL. The greatest impact on their QOL was associated with a high World Health Organization (WHO) functional class (FC), poor performance in a 6-min walking test (6MWT), symptoms, oxygen therapy, elevated pro- brain natriuretic peptide, pericardial effusion, APAH etiology, and being retired from work. CONCLUSIONS: The respondents had a reduced QOL, compared to the general population, in all other subscales, except for mental health. APAH patients had the worst QOL. Good results in functional capacity measures (WHO FC, 6MWT) were associated with a better QOL. Patients' QOL can be improved by reducing the symptoms of PAH.
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Authors | Merja Kukkonen, Airi Puhakka, Maija Halme |
Journal | European clinical respiratory journal
(Eur Clin Respir J)
Vol. 3
Pg. 26405
( 2016)
ISSN: 2001-8525 [Print] United States |
PMID | 26787306
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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