RESUMO
Congenital heart disease (CHD) patients, especially cyanotic ones, usually have renal function impairment. However, little information exists in non-cyanotic CHD patients. The objective of this study is to determine renal failure in non-hypoxemic CHD patients by measuring the amount of protein and albumin released in urine over a 24-hour period and determining the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Prospective study of consecutive outpatient non-hypoxemic CHD patients followed up in a single tertiary referral hospital. Demographic, clinical, blood test and 24-hour urine collection were recorded. 264 CHD patients, 22 (18-343) years old and 160 (61%) males, were followed up during 9.2 (5.9-11.1) years. 137 (52%), 96 (36%) and 31 (18%) CHD patients had mild, moderate, and great anatomical CHD defects. 44 (17%) and 32 (12%) CHD patients showed proteinuria (≥ 150 mg/24 hours) and albuminuria (> 30 mg/24 hours) respectively. 35 out of 44 (79%) CHD patients with proteinuria (≥ 150 mg/24 hours) showed normal to mild albuminuria levels (< 30 mg/24 hours). Variables associated with proteinuria were male sex, body mass index, auricular fibrillation/flutter, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and being under angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), loop diuretics or anti-aldosterone treatment. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular deaths, stroke, myocardial infarction and heart failure requiring hospitalization, occurred in 16 (6%) patients during the follow up time. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that older patients, patients with a great CHD complexity and patients with proteinuria [6.99 (1.90-24.74), P=0.003] had a significant higher risk of MACE. Proteinuria is frequent among non-hypoxemic CHD patients and occurs mostly in those with a GFR above 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and normal to mild albuminuria levels. Having proteinuria, but not albuminuria, was independently associated with a worse outcome.
RESUMO
As physical activity contributes to quality of life and health, we evaluated its association, as measured by the Global physical activity (GPAQ) questionnaire, on the quality of life (QoL) and serum glucose and cholesterol levels of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). This cross-sectional study was carried out in 200 adult patients with CHD (17 to 58 years old), of whom 45 had simple defects, 122 moderate defects and 33 great anatomical complexity defects. Physiological complexity was defined as stage A in 74 patients, stage B in 29, stage C in 86 and stage D in 11. The energy expenditure was below 600 Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET)-minutes per week in 56 (28%) patients, while 144 (72%) were above 600 MET-minutes per week. Physically inactive patients with CHD were significantly more dyslipidemic than active ones, but no significant differences in serum glucose and cholesterol levels were observed. Logistic regression analysis showed that physical activity was associated with a better QoL rating [0.28 (0.10-0.17), P=0.014] and health satisfaction [0.24 (0.09-0.62), P=0.003]. Physically active patients with CHD scored 7.7 and 8.9 points higher, on a 100-point scale, in the physical and social relationships domains respectively, than physically inactive ones. No significant differences were seen in the psychological and the environment domains associated with physical activity. Additionally, a worse New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class (≥ 2) was identified as a risk factor for dissatisfaction with health [OR 7.48, 95% CI (1.55-47.14), P=0.020], having a significantly negative impact of 8.5 and 7.6, on a 100-point scale, in the physical and psychological domains respectively. In conclusion, physically active patients with CHD had a better QoL assessment, were more satisfied with their health and scored higher in the physical and social relationships domains.
RESUMO
Quality of life (QoL) has become an important issue in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Accordingly, the focus has shifted from mere survival to a better QoL. The objective of this study is to assess QoL, by examining the World Health Organization QoL-bref (WHOQoL-BREF) questionnaire, in patients with CHD and a control population of a same geographic area matched for age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors and educational level. 154 patients with CHD recruited from a single hospital outpatient clinic and 250 healthy controls were studied between October 2018 and April 2019. Median age in patients with CHD was 27 (20-34) years and 62% were male. 32, 90 and 32 patients with CHD showed mild, moderate, and complex defects, respectively. 131 (53%) controls referred having felt or experienced negative feelings such as bad mood, despair, stress, or depression compared to 53 (34%) patients in the CHD group (P<0.001). Despite needing more medical treatment (P<0.001), patients with CHD enjoyed more their lives (P<0.001), felt their lives made more sense (P<0.001), were happier with themselves (P=0.006) and with their personal relationships (P=0.020), had a greater support from friends (P=0.031) and felt safer in their daily lives (P=0.004) than patients in the control group. Similarly, patient with CHD felt their environment was healthier, had more opportunities for leisure and were happier with their access to healthcare system (P<0.005) than controls. On the contrary, except the need for more medical treatment in patients with great CHD defects (P=0.019), no significant differences were seen in the WHOQoL-BREF survey according to the anatomical complexity. In conclusion, overall patients with CHD scored better in the WHOQoL-BREF questionnaire, especially in the psychological and environment domains, than patients in the control group.