10.25905/5bfb38ec48cef David Alejandro González-Chica David Alejandro González-Chica Zandile Mnisi Zandile Mnisi Jodie Avery Jodie Avery Katherine Duszynski Katherine Duszynski Jenny Doust Jenny Doust Philip Tideman Philip Tideman Andrew Murphy Andrew Murphy Jacquii Burgess Jacquii Burgess Justin Beilby Justin Beilby Nigel Stocks Nigel Stocks Effect of Health Literacy on Quality of Life amongst Patients with Ischaemic Heart Disease in Australian General Practice Torrens University Australia 2018 Health literacy ischaemic heart disease Quality Of Life. Primary Health Care 2018-11-26 00:06:02 Journal contribution https://torrens.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Effect_of_Health_Literacy_on_Quality_of_Life_amongst_Patients_with_Ischaemic_Heart_Disease_in_Australian_General_Practice/7376999 <h2>Abstract</h2><div><a></a><h3>Background</h3><a></a><p>Appropriate understanding of health information by patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is fundamental for better management of risk factors and improved morbidity, which can also benefit their quality of life.</p></div><div><a></a><h3>Objectives</h3><a></a><p>To assess the relationship between health literacy and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with ischaemic heart disease (IHD), and to investigate the role of sociodemographic and clinical variables as possible confounders.</p></div><div><a></a><h3>Methods</h3><a></a><p>Cross-sectional study of patients with IHD recruited from a stratified sample of general practices in two Australian states (Queensland and South Australia) between 2007 and 2009. Health literacy was measured using a validated questionnaire and classified as inadequate, marginal, or adequate. Physical and mental components of HRQoL were assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF12) questionnaire. Analyses were adjusted for confounders (sociodemographic variables, clinical history of IHD, number of CVD comorbidities, and CVD risk factors) using multiple linear regression.</p></div><div><a></a><h3>Results</h3><a></a><p>A total sample of 587 patients with IHD (mean age 72.0±8.4 years) was evaluated: 76.8% males, 84.2% retired or pensioner, and 51.4% with up to secondary educational level. Health literacy showed a mean of 39.6±6.7 points, with 14.3% (95%CI 11.8–17.3) classified as inadequate. Scores of the physical component of HRQoL were 39.6 (95%CI 37.1–42.1), 42.1 (95%CI 40.8–43.3) and 44.8 (95%CI 43.3–46.2) for inadequate, marginal, and adequate health literacy, respectively (p-value for trend = 0.001). This association persisted after adjustment for confounders. Health literacy was not associated with the mental component of HRQoL (p-value = 0.482). Advanced age, lower educational level, disadvantaged socioeconomic position, and a larger number of CVD comorbidities adversely affected both, health literacy and HRQoL.</p></div><div><a></a><h3>Conclusion</h3><a></a><p>Inadequate health literacy is a contributing factor to poor physical functioning in patients with IHD. Increasing health literacy may improve HRQoL and reduce the impact of IHD among patients with this chronic CVD.</p><p>PLoS ONE 11(3)<br></p></div>