Iranian Journal of Rehabilitation Research in Nursing

Introduction: quality of life is an integrated construct with aspects of physical activity, social actions, mental health and is an important component of general health. Heart failure negatively affects mental health and coincidentally quality of life in these patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between mental health and quality of life in patients with heart failure. Methods: This descriptive - analytical study was conducted on 150 patients in cardiac care unit of Imam Reza Hospital of Bojnourd. The patients were selected by convenience sampling method. Data were collected using generic quality of Life (SF-36) and mental health (GHQ-28). The data were analyzed via ANOVA, t-test and Pearson's correlation using SPSS ver.18 software. Results: The majority of samples had a moderate and low quality of life with frequencies of 38% and 35/8% respectively. The Mean±SD of Mental Health was 29/14±13/75. Significant relationship was found between the physical domain of mental health and physical limitations of quality of life questionnaire (P=0/001). Also a significant correlation observed between some quality of life sub scales (physical functioning, social functioning, vitality, mental health) and depression sub scale of mental health with sex (P<0/05). Conclusion: We find some correlations between mental health and quality of life in the patients and that deterioration in mental health status can negatively affect quality of life in heart failure patients. Thus providing mental health services is highly recommended to safeguard higher quality of life in these Patients.