Abstract:
Introduction and objective: Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) is a global health challenge,
causing significant mortality and morbidity across all age groups. Improving the Quality
of Life (QoL), including physical, psychological, social, and environmental aspects, for
IHD patients is an important aspect of management. This understanding can lead to
tailored healthcare strategies and improved care for IHD patients, ultimately striving for
better outcomes and well-being. This study aims to measure the quality of life and risk
factors among patients with IHD attending the Cardiology Clinic, Teaching Hospital
Jaffna.
Methods: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between
February 2022 and October 2023, involving 427 IHD patients, using systematic
sampling. Data were collected using an interviewer-; administered questionnaire
incorporated with MOS SF- 36 (Medical Outcome Study – Short Form). The study
assessed various aspects of QoL including physical functioning, QoL limitations due to
physical health, emotional well-being, energy/fatigue, and social functioning. Chi square
test was used to assess the association between known risk factors and QoL.
Results: Majority of the study participants were men (57.6%), aged above 55 years and
Hindus (95.8%). Obesity was prevalent among 40% of the participants; 44%, 42.2%,
52.5% of the sample had diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and hypertension, respectively;
63.2 % experienced limitations in activities of daily living. No significant association
was found between QoL and having diabetes mellitus (p value=0.88), hypertension (p
value= 0.197), dyslipidemia (p value= 0.054), alcohol consumption (p value=0.58), and
BMI ( p value= 0.74). However, QoL was found to be significantly associated with
smoking (p value=0.02) and age (p value < 0.01).
Conclusion and recommendations: QoL of patients with IHD is negatively associated
with smoking and aging. These findings provide valuable insights into modifiable
(smoking) and non-modifiable (age) risk factors that affect the QoL of patients with IHD
and highlight the need to address and intervene with appropriate measures to improve
the QoL of patients with IHD.
