Association between the nurse-led program with mental health status,quality of life,and heart failure rehospitalization in chronic heart failure patients

The nurse-led program is associated with a short-term improvement of mental health status (MHS) and quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Nonetheless, the long-term effect of this program is undetermined. The aims of the current study were to evaluate the 1-year effects of the nurse-led program on MHS, QOL, and heart failure (HF) rehospitalization among patients with CHF.CHF patients in the control group received standard care, and patients in the treatment group received standard care plus telehealth intervention including inquiring patients’ medical condition, providing feedbacks, counseling and providing positive and emotional talk with the patients. At the third, sixth, and twelfth month''s follow-up, patients were called by registered nurses to assess the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5) and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) scores. HF rehospitalization was also assessed.A total of 300 patients were included and 46% (n = 138) of the patients were in the treatment group. There were no significant between-group differences in the MHI-5 and KCCQ scores at baseline. In the control group, the MHI-5 score was gradually decreased with follow-up and the score was significantly lower than that in the treatment group since the third month''s follow-up (63.5 ± 10.6 vs 73.6 ± 10.3). Compared with the treatment group, KCCQ score was lower in the control group from the third month''s follow-up (64.3 ± 10.6 vs 73.5 ± 12.3) until the end of the twelfth months’ follow-up (45.3 ± 11.2 vs 60.8 ± 11.1). During 12 months’ follow-up, the proportion of patients who experienced HF rehospitalization was lower in the treatment group (19.6% vs 24.1%). After adjusting for covariates, the utilization of the nurse-led program, and increase of MHI-5 and KCCQ scores were associated with reduced risk of HF rehospitalization.The nurse-led program is beneficial for the improvement of MHS and QOL for CHF patients, which might contribute to the reduction of HF rehospitalization.     

Symptoms, depression, and quality of life in patients with heart failure

BackgroundLittle is known about symptoms and their burden in outpatients with chronic heart failure. Diverse symptoms may be associated with poor heart failure-related quality of life, and depression may be related to increased symptoms.Methods and ResultsThe number of symptoms and symptom distress (physical symptoms on the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form), depression (Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form), and heart failure-related quality of life (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire) were measured cross-sectionally in 60 patients with heart failure from two outpatient cardiology clinics. Patients experienced a mean of nine symptoms in the previous week. More than half reported shortness of breath, lack of energy, pain, feeling drowsy, or dry mouth. In unadjusted analyses, more severe depression was associated with a greater number of symptoms (r = 0.51, P < .0001) and greater overall symptom distress (r = 0.58, P < .0001). For each additional depression symptom, the number of symptoms reported increased by 0.6 after adjustment for age, race, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (P = .01). The number of symptoms accounted for 32% of the variance in quality of life (P < .0001).ConclusionsPatients with heart failure report a large number of distressing symptoms. Depression in patients with heart failure is associated with a greater number of symptoms, which in turn is associated with a decrease in heart failure-related quality of life. Treatment of depression and the diverse symptoms reported by patients with heart failure might significantly improve quality of life.     

Health-related quality of life in patients with congestive heart failure

BACKGROUND: Despite abundant evidence attesting to poor physical, psychological and social functioning of congestive heart failure (CHF) patients, little is known about the impact of the disease itself on health-related quality of life (HRQL). Most previous work has focused on general quality of life issues rather than specifically on the impact of CHF on HRQL. AIM: To identify the significant demographic, clinical and psychosocial factors associated with HRQL in patients with CHF. METHODS: A total of 227 CHF patients were recruited from the medical unit of a general hospital in Hong Kong. Cross-sectional data on HRQL, functional status, psychological state, social support and health perception were obtained from each patient and clinical data were obtained from hospital records. RESULTS: In hierarchical regression analysis, psychological distress, poor health perception, higher NYHA grading and lower education level were identified as the significant factors associated with poorer HRQL. These correlates in total explained 52% of the variance for the HRQL scores. Among these correlates, psychological distress and NYHA grading demonstrated the greatest effect on HRQL scores. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the significance of addressing the psychological and functional health of CHF patients. Assisting these patients to cultivate a positive attitude towards their own health status is also an important treatment goal.     

Depression and perceptions about heart failure predict quality of life in patients with advanced heart failure

Background

Mood is an independent predictor of mortality and quality of life (QoL) for people with heart failure. However, the underlying belief systems involved in mood are unknown.

Objective

We sought to identify psychological and clinical variables predicting mood and QoL for people diagnosed with heart failure (HF).

Methods

One hundred and forty-six HF patients were assessed with standardized measures, to determine their beliefs about HF, coping styles, mood, and QoL.

Results

Patients with more negative beliefs about the consequences of HF and with less perceived control over symptoms showed maladaptive coping styles such as denial and behavioral disengagement, and more severe levels of depression and anxiety. Depression also independently predicted QoL outcomes.

Conclusions

Anxious and depressed patients have more negative beliefs about HF, leading to negative coping behaviors and poor QoL. Our evidence suggests that changing negative beliefs may improve the psychological well-being and QoL of patients, irrespective of disease severity.     

Age, functional capacity, and health-related quality of life in patients with heart failure

BACKGROUND: Although heart failure disproportionately affects older persons and is associated with significant physical disability, existing data on physical limitations and health-related quality of life (HRQL) derive largely from studies of younger subjects. We compared the relationship between functional limitation and HRQL between older and younger patients with heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated 546 outpatients with heart failure enrolled in a multicenter prospective cohort study. At baseline and 6 +/- 2 weeks later, functional status was assessed by New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification and 6-minute walk testing. HRQL was measured with the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). Comparing older (age >65 years, n = 218) and younger patients (n = 328), we assessed baseline HRQL across strata of functional status. In the 484 patients who completed follow-up (194 older and 290 younger patients), we also assessed the changes in HRQL associated with changes in functional status over time. At baseline, older patients had better HRQL than younger patients (mean KCCQ score 60 +/- 25 versus 54 +/- 28, P = .005) in spite of worse NYHA class (mean 2.54 versus 2.35, P < .001) and lower 6-minute walk distances (824 +/- 378 versus 1064 +/- 371 feet, P < .001). After multivariable adjustment including baseline NYHA class, older age was independently correlated with better HRQL (beta = +7.9 points, P < .001). At follow-up, older patients with a deterioration in NYHA class experienced marked declines in HRQL compared with younger patients (mean HRQL change of -14.4 points versus +0.3 points, respectively, P < .001). Analyses using 6-minute walk distance as the functional measure yielded similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Although older patients with heart failure have relatively good HRQL in spite of significant functional limitations, they are at risk for worsening HRQL with further decline in functional status. These results underscore the importance of treatments aimed at maintaining functional status in older persons with heart failure, including those with significant baseline functional limitations.     

The enigma of quality of life in patients with heart failure

Current treatment goals in heart failure (HF) aim to improve both survival and quality of life (QoL) of patients. In this brief communication, we reviewed randomized controlled trials that assessed the impact of pharmacological treatment on QoL, and we discussed some methodological limitations of QoL assessment in HF. Studies that assessed QoL with a disease-specific questionnaire were included. We found that at present there is a paradox in HF treatment. Life prolonging therapies, such as angiotensin-converting-enzyme-inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers improve modestly or only delay the progressive worsening of QoL in HF. Treatment with beta blockers does not affect QoL in any way. However, this neutral effect of beta blockers may also be due to some methodological limitations, such as the small number of patients included in beta blocker trials or the short duration of follow-up. Disease-specific questionnaires may also have some limitations, e.g. are not sensitive enough to detect small changes in QoL. On the other hand, therapies that significantly improve QoL in HF (e.g. inotropic agents) do not seem beneficial in relation to survival. We conclude that QoL in HF remains an open field, in which new therapies but also clarification of methodology is required. In the mean time, the use of life prolonging therapies appears as a safe measure to modestly improve or maintain QoL.     

Variability in the clinical status of patients with advanced heart failure

BACKGROUND: The importance of repeated clinical assessments of patients with heart failure is widely accepted. The frequency of such follow-up is not established and is likely to depend on the natural history and variability of patients' health status and the availability and use of appropriate treatments. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed data from a multicenter prospective cohort study of heart failure outpatients comparing baseline variables including New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, summary score on the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), and performance on a 6-minute walk test with results of a repeat evaluation at 6 weeks. We also compared patient and physician assessment of change in disease status among patients with advanced symptoms (NYHA class III with a recent antecedent hospitalization or class IV) and those with milder degrees of limitation (NYHA classes I, II, and stable III). Patients with advanced symptoms had greater short-term variability in health status as reflected by the KCCQ summary score and a visual analog scale. A greater proportion of patients with advanced heart failure experienced moderate or greater clinical change. Patient and physician global assessments were congruent with more direct measures of health status. CONCLUSION: Patients with advanced heart failure have greater short-term variability in status, supporting the need for frequent clinical follow-up and appropriate power calculations for clinical trials that are designed to measure meaningful changes over a short period.     

心力衰竭患者生活质量的研究

目的：探讨心力衰竭（HF）对生活质量的影响。方法：以明尼苏达生活质量表对66例HF患进行生活质量调查,结果：q检验表明,心功能IV级组的生活质量计分与Ⅲ级组,Ⅰ-Ⅱ级组间差异非常显（P＜0．01）,心功能Ⅲ组与Ⅰ－Ⅱ级组间差异不显（P＞0．05）。结论：HF患心功能级别与其生活质量有明显关系,心功能越差,其生活质量越差（P＜0．01）。     

Symptom clusters and quality of life among patients with advanced heart failure

Objectives To identify symptom clusters among patients with advanced heart failure (HF) and the independent relationships with their quality of life (QoL). Methods This is the secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional study which interviewed 119 patients with advanced HF in the geriatric unit of a regional hospital in Hong Kong. The symptom profile and QoL were assessed by using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and the McGill QoL Questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the symptom clusters. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the independent relationships with their QoL, after adjusting the effects of age, gender, and comorbidities. Results The patients were at an advanced age (82.9 ± 6.5 years). Three distinct symptom clusters were identified: they were the distress cluster (including shortness of breath, anxiety, and depression), the decondition cluster (fatigue, drowsiness, nausea, and reduced appetite), and the discomfort cluster (pain, and sense of generalized discomfort). These three symptom clusters accounted for 63.25% of variance of the patients’ symptom experience. The small to moderate correlations between these symptom clusters indicated that they were rather independent of one another. After adjusting the age, gender and comorbidities, the distress (beta = ?0.635, P < 0.001), the decondition (beta = -0.148, P = 0.01), and the discomfort (beta = -0.258, P < 0.001) symptom clusters independently predicted their QoL. Conclusions This study identified the distinctive symptom clusters among patients with advanced HF. The results shed light on the need to develop palliative care interventions for optimizing the symptom control for this life-limiting disease.     

Gender differences in quality of life are minimal in patients with heart failure

BACKGROUND: Prior investigators have suggested that quality of life differs in men and women with heart failure, especially in the physical functioning domain. The purpose of this study was to compare quality of life in men and women with heart failure to determine if differences exist after controlling for functional status, age, and ejection fraction. METHODS: Data from a sample of 640 men and women (50% each) matched on New York Heart Association functional classification and age were used for this secondary analysis. Scores on the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire were compared at baseline and 3 months after enrollment using multivariate techniques with ejection fraction controlled. Treatment group (intervention versus control) was controlled statistically at 3 months because the original data were drawn from experimental and quasi-experimental studies in which an improvement in quality of life had been a goal of the intervention. The sexes differed on marital status, so this variable was controlled in analyses as well. RESULTS: In all analyses, quality of life was minimally worse in women compared with men (1-3 points at most). None of the differences reached statistical significance except for emotional quality of life at baseline (P =.03). By 3 months, both men and women reported significantly improved and comparable quality of life and there were no significant differences between them. CONCLUSION: Quality of life is similar in men and women with heart failure when functional status, age, ejection fraction, and marital status differences are controlled.     

运动康复改善老年慢性心衰患者心功能和生活质量的研究

目的:观察老年慢性心衰患者运动康复后心功能和生活质量的改变.方法:对60例老年慢性心衰病人在常规药物治疗的基础上,实施运动康复疗法,并与58例非康复组进行对照比较;观察出院时病人 6 min步行距离、运动耐量、平均住院日和心功能变化,同时测定血浆脑钠肽(BNP)含量,对其生活质量进行评定;观察随访一年时病人的心功能、再住院率和死亡率.结果:出院时康复组运动贮量、生活质量明显提高,NYHA心功能级别显著改善(P＜0.05或＜0.01),BNP水平和心室重量指数(LVMI)则显著降低(P＜0.05);较之对照组除上述指标显著改善(P＜0.05～＜0.01)外,6 min步行距离增加非常显著(P＜0.01)平均住院日显著减少(P＜0.05);随访一年时康复组病人的心功能、6 min步行距离、运动贮量、生活质量、左室射血分数(LVEF)和E/A比值均明显增加,NYHA心功能级别显著改善(P＜0.01),左房内径(LAd)、LVMI以及再入院率和死亡率明显低于对照组(P＜0.01或P＜0.05).结论:运动康复可以改善心功能,提高运动耐量和生活质量,缩短住院时间,降低再入院率和死亡率;长期运动康复可能有改善心肌的重构的作用.     

运动康复改善老年慢性心衰患者心功能和生活质量的研究

目的:观察老年慢性心衰患者运动康复后心功能和生活质量的改变。方法:对60例老年慢性心衰病人在常规药物治疗的基础上,实施运动康复疗法,并与58例非康复组进行对照比较;观察出院时病人6min步行距离、运动耐量、平均住院日和心功能变化,同时测定血浆脑钠肽(BNP)含量,对其生活质量进行评定;观察随访一年时病人的心功能、再住院率和死亡率。结果:出院时康复组运动贮量、生活质量明显提高,NYHA心功能级别显著改善(P<0.05或<0.01),BNP水平和心室重量指数(LVMI)则显著降低(P<0.05);较之对照组除上述指标显著改善(P<0.05~<0.01)外,6min步行距离增加非常显著(P<0.01)平均住院日显著减少(P<0.05);随访一年时康复组病人的心功能、6min步行距离、运动贮量、生活质量、左室射血分数(LVEF)和E/A比值均明显增加,NYHA心功能级别显著改善(P<0.01),左房内径(LAd)、LVMI以及再入院率和死亡率明显低于对照组(P<0.01或P<0.05)。结论:运动康复可以改善心功能,提高运动耐量和生活质量,缩短住院时间,降低再入院率和死亡率;长期运动康复可能有改善心肌的重构的作用。     

Depression and quality of life among heart failure patients in Georgia, Eastern Europe

The goal of the study was to assess longitudinal changes in quality of life among patients who screened positive for depression and patients who did not enroll in an outpatient heart failure disease management program (HFDMP). Patients with an ejection fraction ≤40% and clinical signs and symptoms of heart failure were enrolled over 11 months from August 2007 to July 2008. Study participants (n=314) were divided at baseline into "depressed" (9-Question Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9] ≥10) and "nondepressed" (PHQ-9 <10) groups. The two cohort groups had quality of life assessed by the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire at baseline and at 1 year while enrolled in the HFDMP. Both groups showed improved quality of life scores, with the depressed group experiencing a greater mean score decrease (14.4 vs 10.8 for nondepressed patients; P<.01). Both patients who screened positive for depression and those who did not enroll in an HFDMP improved their quality of life scores, with depressed patients experiencing a statistically significant greater mean score reduction (better quality of life).     

Impact of obesity on quality of life and depression in patients with heart failure

BACKGROUND: The effect of obesity on health related quality of life (HRQOL) and depression in a number of disease states is well documented, but its impact in heart failure (HF) patients remains speculative. We therefore examined the relationship between obesity, HRQOL, and depression in 358 patients with HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Comparative analyses were conducted to determine if body mass index (BMI) was associated with HRQOL and depression in three groups of patients with HF-normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2, n = 100), overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2, n = 141), and obese (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2, n = 117). Obese patients were younger than normal and overweight participants; all other demographic and clinical characteristics were similar. HRQOL and depression scores were significantly higher (worse) for obese patients. Body mass index was significantly correlated with all 3 scales of HRQOL (overall, r2 = .160; physical, r2 = .162; and mental, r2 = .217) as well as with depression (r2 = .166). CONCLUSION: Obese patients with HF are more likely to have poorer HRQOL, physical health, emotional well-being and depressive symptoms. Poorer HRQOL is predictive of worse outcomes in patients with HF; however, given the apparent obesity paradox in HF, further investigation of the impact of obesity in HF is urgently required.     

Functional status and quality of life in patients with heart failure undergoing coronary bypass surgery after assessment of myocardial viability

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether preoperative clinical and test data could be used to predict the effects of myocardial revascularization on functional status and quality of life in patients with heart failure and ischemic LV dysfunction. BACKGROUND: Revascularization of viable myocardial segments has been shown to improve regional and global LV function. The effects of revascularization on exercise capacity and quality of life (QOL) are not well defined. METHODS: Sixty three patients (51 men, age 66+/-9 years) with moderate or worse LV dysfunction (LVEF 0.28+/-0.07) and symptomatic heart failure were studied before and after coronary artery bypass surgery. All patients underwent preoperative positron emission tomography (PET) using FDG and Rb-82 before and after dipyridamole stress; the extent of viable myocardium by PET was defined by the number of segments with metabolism-perfusion mismatch or ischemia. Dobutamine echocardiography (DbE) was performed in 47 patients; viability was defined by augmentation at low dose or the development of new or worsening wall motion abnormalities. Functional class, exercise testing and a QOL score (Nottingham Health Profile) were obtained at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS: Patients had wall motion abnormalities in 83+/-18% of LV segments. A mismatch pattern was identified in 12+/-15% of LV segments, and PET evidence of viability was detected in 30+/-21% of the LV. Viability was reported in 43+/-18% of the LV by DbE. The difference between pre- and postoperative exercise capacity ranged from a reduction of 2.8 to an augmentation of 5.2 METS. The degree of improvement of exercise capacity correlated with the extent of viability by PET (r = 0.54, p = 0.0001) but not the extent of viable myocardium by DbE (r = 0.02, p = 0.92). The area under the ROC curve for PET (0.76) exceeded that for DbE (0.66). In a multiple linear regression, the extent of viability by PET and nitrate use were the only independent predictors of improvement of exercise capacity (model r = 0.63, p = 0.0001). Change in Functional Class correlated weakly with the change in exercise capacity (r = 0.25), extent of viable myocardium by PET (r = 0.23) and extent of viability by DbE (r = 0.31). Four components of the quality of life score (energy, pain, emotion and mobility status) significantly improved over follow-up, but no correlations could be identified between quality of life scores and the results of preoperative testing or changes in exercise capacity. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with LV dysfunction, improvement of exercise capacity correlates with the extent of viable myocardium. Quality of life improves in most patients undergoing revascularization. However, its measurement by this index does not correlate with changes in other parameters nor is it readily predictable.     

心力衰竭患者生活质量及影响因素研究

目的探讨心力衰竭患者的生活质量及影响因素,为其生活质量的提高提供理论参考。方法采用完全随机的方法选择95例心力衰竭患者,另外在社区选择95名健康人为对照组。采用问卷调查的方式获取被调查者的一般信息,用明尼苏达心衰患者生存质量量表测量被调查者的生活质量。比较病例组和对照组的调查结果,探究影响心力衰竭患者生活质量的主要因素。结果心力衰竭患者生活质量得分偏高,主要影响因素包括年龄、病程、年住院次数、NYHA等级和家庭经济情况等。结论造成心力衰竭患者生活质量较差的原因是多方面的,要改善这一状况,需要患者、医疗机构和社会相关决策部门的共同努力。