Correlation between anxiety/depression and quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure and analysis of associated factors

BACKGROUND There is limited clinical evidence regarding the correlation between psychological status and quality of life (QoL) and the associated factors in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). AIM To explore the correlation between psychological status (anxiety/depression) and QoL in patients with CHF and the associated factors. METHODS From December 2023 to December 2025, 98 patients with CHF admitted to First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University were enrolled. Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) scores were collected, based on which patient were divided into anxiety and non-anxiety groups, as well as depression and non-depression groups. Chronic Heart Failure Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (CHFQOLQ-20) scores were compared between these groups. The correlations of HAMA and HAMD scores with the CHFQOLQ-20 total scores were evaluated, followed by univariate and multivariate analyses to assess the factors associated with anxiety and depression. RESULTS Among the 98 patients with CHF, the anxiety rate was 54.08%, with a median HAMA score of 8.00 (6.00, 14.00); the depression rate was 41.84%, with a median HAMD score of 6.00 (5.00, 14.25). CHFQOLQ-20 scores were lower in the 98 patients with CHF with anxiety or depression. Both HAMA and HAMD scores showed negative correlations with the CHFQOLQ-20 total score in the cohort. Univariate and multivariate analyses further revealed that New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, concomitant hypertension, and concomitant diabetes were independent factors associated with anxiety, whereas disease duration, NYHA classification, concomitant diabetes, and educational level were independent factors associated with depression. CONCLUSION The results suggested that a considerable proportion of patients with CHF experience anxiety and depression, both of which were significantly negatively associated with QoL. Additionally, NYHA class III–IV, concomitant hypertension, and concomitant diabetes were associated with a higher risk of anxiety in patients with CHF, whereas a disease duration of 6 years, NYHA class III–IV, concomitant diabetes, and an educational level below high school were associated with a higher risk of depression.