QUALITY OF LIFE AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN PATIENTS WITH OBSTRUCTIVE HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY: A CLINICAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of clinical and psychosocial management strategies on the quality of life of patients diagnosed with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, examining how pharmacological, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors collectively shape physical and emotional outcomes.

Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 160 adult patients with confirmed obstructive HCM at Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) Hospital, Wah Cantt. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, including the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) for quality of life, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression, and the Perceived Social Support Scale. Information regarding pharmacological, surgical, lifestyle, and psychosocial management strategies was obtained through interviews and medical record reviews. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and multivariate linear regression were applied using SPSS version 22, with a significance threshold of p < 0.05.

Results: Participants demonstrated moderate overall quality of life, with mean SF-36 scores ranging from 56.77 (general health) to 68.12 (bodily pain). Internal reliability across domains was high (Cronbach’s α = 0.80–0.89). Pharmacological therapy was the most common management strategy (93.8%), followed by lifestyle modification (68.8%) and psychosocial counseling (25%). Patients receiving combined medical, lifestyle, and psychosocial interventions reported significantly higher quality of life (M = 71.40, SD = 16.10) compared to those receiving only medical therapy (M = 59.84, SD = 14.22, p < .001). Depression was negatively correlated with quality of life (r = −0.62, p < .001), while social support (r = 0.48, p < .001) and education (r = 0.28, p = 0.012) showed positive associations. Regression analysis identified depression (β = −0.34, p < .001), social support (β = 0.27, p = 0.001), and combined management strategy (β = 0.29, p < .001) as significant predictors of quality of life, explaining 46% of the variance (R² = 0.46).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that depressive symptoms and limited social support substantially reduce the quality of life among patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Conversely, a comprehensive management approach integrating medical, lifestyle, and psychosocial interventions markedly enhances physical and emotional well-being. These findings highlight the necessity of adopting a multidimensional, patient-centered care model that incorporates psychological assessment, counseling, and social support within routine cardiology practice to optimize outcomes for individuals living with obstructive HCM.