The factors associated with health-related quality of life in adult congenital heart disease

Abstract

The increasing survival of people born with congenital heart disease has resulted in a growing population of adults. There is lack of research examining the factors associated with the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors associated with HRQoL in ACHD. Three hundred and fourteen participants from four diagnostic groups (Simple, Tetralogy of Fallot, Transposition of the Great Arteries, Single Ventricle) completed a range of psychosocial measures and generic and disease-specific HRQoL. Data were analysed using ANOVA and hierarchical multiple regressions. The findings indicated interesting differences in HRQoL between the groups and the general population. Illness perceptions explained the largest proportion of variance (16-32%) in generic (physical and psychosocial) and disease-specific HRQoL. Psychosocial factors including strong perceptions about the symptoms and consequences of ACHD, the use of self-blame as a coping strategy, and mood were independently associated with HRQoL over and above demographic and clinical characteristics. The findings highlight the importance of addressing negative illness perceptions and mood problems in people with ACHD.