Predicting mortality and hospitalization in 5025 patients with heart failure utilizing baseline quality of life

This study investigated the independent relation of HRQL to mortality and HF-related hospitalizations in patients with EF <0.35 followed for a mean time of 36.5 months. A brief HRQL questionnaire was administered at baseline to patients randomized to placebo or enalapril in the SOLVD trial. Participants had an EF of <0.35 and either HF (treatment trial, n-2465) or asymptomatic HF (prevention trial, n-2560). Baseline assessment of HRQL predicted mortality and HF-related hospitalizations in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients randomized to enalapril and placebo treatment. HRQL provides additional clinical information regarding disease course and outcome that is not captured by traditional indices of clinical status.