Body Mass Index and Quality of Life in Patients Waiting for Coronary Angiography: A Pilot Study

Aim: There is evidence that the body mass index (BMI) is related, to some extent, to the quality of life (QoL) in different populations. The purpose of our study was to investigate the differences in QoL in relation to the BMI in patients awaiting coronary angiography. Method: The sample consisted of 100 patients (68 males and 32 females) with symptoms indicating coronary angiography. For all of them BMI was calculated. The participants completed the Duke Health profile questionnaire (DUKE) which measures adult self-reported functional health status. Results: After splitting the group in two according to the BMI median cut-off point, the findings reveal differences in the following aspects of QoL secondary to BMI: mental health (p = .006), general health (p = .038), perceived health (p = .008), anxiety (p = .022), depression (p = .008), anxiety-depression (p = .004), but not related to: physical health (p = .384), social health (p = .267), self-esteem (p = .172), pain (p = .797), disability (p = .710). Conclusion: Considering the findings, health counselling directed at regulating body weight is recommended as part of the positive health behaviour. It can benefit and improve some domains of the QoL of individuals having health problems.