Abstract

Aim: To assess the relationship between pain, dyspnea and quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) of ischemic genesis.

Methods: 120 patients with CHF, mean age 54.1±4.3 years, were examined, 70 had Functional class (FC) II, 39 - FC III, 11 - FC IV according to NYHA classification. The duration of CHF signs was 17.5± .2 months. Half of patients had an arterial hypertension. Dyspnea was measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Borg scale. Pain was assessed using the Rose questionnaire. The quality of life of patients was analyzed.

Results: During the two-year follow-up, an increase in CHF symptoms was noted, the number of patients with NYHA FC III and IV increased by 40 (33%). The number of patients with exertional angina FC III decreased by 36%, with mild exertional angina of FC II increased by 40%. In 1/3 of CHF patients with a dynamic two-year follow-up, there is a "replacement" of pain syndrome with dyspnea as the severity of CHF increases. The severity of dyspnea according to the Borg scale and VAS significantly increases. A moderate inverse correlation was obtained between the degree of dyspnea and the level of pain (r = -0.42). The quality of life worsened in all patients during dynamic observation.

Conclusion: As CHF of ischemic genesis progresses, dyspnea increases in many patients, the anginal syndrome decreases or disappears. The quality of life suffers both with increased dyspnea and with an increase in FC of angina pectoris.

Keywords: Chronic heart failure, dyspnea, pain, angina pectoris, quality of life.