Reassessment of quality of life domains in patients with compensated Chagas heart failure after participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program

INTRODUCTION:  We evaluated the effects of a cardiac rehabilitation program on quality of life.

METHODS  This secondary analysis of a single-arm study included 12 patients with Chagas heart failure. The cardiac rehabilitation program comprised exercise training and nutritional and pharmaceutical counseling. Quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire.

RESULTS:  The program promoted improved physical functioning (β= +5.7; p=0.003), role-physical (β= +1.9; p=0.03), and bodily pain (β= +3.5; p=0.02) scores. Moreover, the summary physical health score (β= +1.4; p=0.001) improved.

CONCLUSION:  The cardiac rehabilitation program significantly improved the physical quality of life of patients with Chagas heart failure.

Keywords:
Chagas heart failure; Cardiac rehabilitation; Quality of life