Gender differenses in behavioral pattern and quality of life of post MI patients adaptability of heartQol questionnaire in the iranian population

Abstract

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) as an important chronic disease and the leading cause of death around the world could also affect remarkably the survivors’ quality of life. Various tools have been introduced to assess health-related quality of life. HeartQoL questionnaire is an explicit instrument for measuring health-related quality of life among heart diseases patients. Main aim of this study was to examine gender differences in behavioral pattern and quality of life in a sample of Iranian patients after acute MI and also assess psychometric properties of Persian version of the HeartQoL for use in Persian speaking populations. Design and methods: Content and face validity of the Persian translated version of the HeartQoL were studied through a multi stage procedure by sending the questionnaire to a group of experts and also its application on 557 Iranian patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The construct validity of the scale was assessed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and the internal consistency was investigated by calculating Cronbach's alpha. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the study data and Mann-Whitney and McNemar's test were applied to examine the differences in quality of life, high risk behaviors and physical activity performance between two sexes after acute MI.

Results: Quality of life scores were significantly different between sexes (p<0/001). Two-factor structure of the translated version of HeartQoL and also internal consistency of the total instrument (α = 0.94) with its physical (10 items, α = 0.95) and mental (4 items, α = 0.80) subscales were approved. Conclusion: Significant differences in the cardiovascular disease risk factor profile of the male and female patients such as smoking, physical activity level, diabetes and hypertension were observed. The validity and reliability of the Persian translated version of the HeartQoL questionnaire was confirmed to be used for assessment of quality of life amongst Iranian patients with acute myocardial infarction.