Abstract
Introduction: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a common cardiovascular disease, especially with ischemic
etiology that has shown an increasing trend. It is assumed that physical activity level (PAL), body composition
and quality of life may interact with each other and also with conventional cardiovascular risk factors.
Objectives: In this study the association of body composition [according to DXA (dual-energy x-ray
absorptiometry) method] with quality of life and physical activity and also some cardiovascular risk factors
were determined in patients with CHF.
Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional comparative study, 52 consecutive CHF patients attending to a
referral training heart center in Tehran, Iran were enrolled. The body composition was determined by DXA
method and the PAL was assessed by IPAQ (international physical activity questionnaire) questionnaire.
Also the quality of life was assessed with IHF-QoL questionnaire and dynamometer was used to determine
the muscle strength. Finally, the association between these factors and cardiovascular risk factors was
determined.
Results: Self-efficacy was the most related subscale of quality of life with fat mass and fat percent in males (P
< 0.05). The quality of life, PAL, and cardiovascular risk factors were generally not significantly related to the
abnormal skeletal muscle mass index and grip strength (P > 0.05), except for significant correlation of grip
strength with lower PAL (P=0.046). Patients with muscle wasting had significantly lower body mass index
(BMI) and lower fat percent (P<0.001 and P=0.008, respectively).
Conclusion: Overall, this study showed that body composition in patients with CHF is not related to quality
of life, conventional cardiovascular risk factors, and physical activity. However, grip strength is related to
physical activity.