FOCUS ON QUALITY OF LIFE AND COSTS IN PATIENTS WITH IRON DEFICIENCY AND HEART FAILURE

Chronic heart failure is an important health problem worldwide. Despite the reduction in mortality associated with the newest medical and interventional treatments, the quality of life remains an important concern for patients as well for doctors. Aim: to quantify the quality of life and the financial burden in patients with heart failure and iron deficiency. Material and methods: Patients with heart failure and iron deficiency were included in the study. Personal medical data were collected, and the patients completed the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), which is a validated questionnaire for anemia associated with heart failure. The financial costs of hospital admission were evaluated. Results: A statistically significant moderate direct correlation between calcium channel blockers treatment and the scores in KCCQ was found. Also, a statistically significant, indirect correlation was shown between anticoagulant treatment and quality of life. As to the financial burden, the average cost per admission was 3,641.75 RON ± 1,881.32 RON (783.17 euro ± 404.58 euro). Conclusions: Anticoagulant treatment in patients with heart failure and iron deficiency was associated with reduced quality of life. Calcium channel blockers were associated with improvement of the quality of life in this category of patients.