Quality of Life, Anxiety, and Depression in Caregivers of Community-Dwelling Heart Failure Patients

Background/Objectives: Patients with heart failure (HF) experience increased morbidity, limited daily activities, and diminished quality of life (QoL), thus relying on a family member, widely known as informal caregiver, for support. The objective of this study was to explore (a) QoL, anxiety, and depression; (b) factors associated with QoL; and (c) the impact of associated factors on QoL among HF caregivers. Materials and methods: Data collection was performed using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADs), and the European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior Scale (EHFScBS). Also recorded were characteristics of caregivers and patients. Results: In the present study, 110 HF caregivers and the family members they provided care to were enrolled. The majority of caregivers were patients’ spouses (60%) and were female (71.8%). Within a QoL score range of 0–100, caregivers showed moderate to high levels in role-physical, role-emotional, emotional well-being, and pain (median: 75, 66.7, 64, and 67.5, respectively); moderate QoL levels in energy/fatigue, social functioning, and general health (median: 55, 56.3, and 62, respectively); and poor QoL levels in physical functioning (median: 18). Moreover, 64.5% of caregivers had anxiety and 41.8% had depression. Caregivers with HADs scores that indicate anxiety and depression had worse QoL (p = 0.001). No association was detected between caregivers’ QoL and patients’ HADs and self-care. Conclusions: QoL and anxiety/depression merit further research by clinicians, health systems, and policymakers so that evidence-based policies and interventional programs tailored to their needs can be implemented.