Development and Psychometric Properties of the Japanese Heart Failure Knowledge Scale

Abstract

SummaryKnowledge about their own condition is important for patients with heart failure (HF). No valid, reliable, and easily administered instrument is available to measure this knowledge in clinical practice. In this study, a HF knowledge scale was developed, and its psychometric properties were tested. Items related to knowledge about HF were extracted from relevant guidelines. Content validity of the items was confirmed by an expert panel including a cardiologist and nurses specialized in treatment and care of patients with HF. A self-administered questionnaire was then distributed to 187 patients with HF (64.0 ± 12.1 years, males 69%). In 62% patients, a left ventricular ejection fraction of < 50% was identified. Exploratory factor analysis demonstrated the one-dimensionality of the 15-item HF knowledge scale. Mean score was 10.7 ± 3.0 (range, 0-15). Known-group validity testing revealed a significant difference in HF knowledge score between patients newly diagnosed with HF and patients experienced with HF (9.4 ± 3.2 versus 10.8 ± 2.9, P = 0.043). In addition, HF knowledge scale scores were correlated with HF self-care scores assessed by the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale for evaluation of criterion validity (ρ = −0.304, P < 0.001). Cronbach's alpha was 0.79, and item-total correlation was 0.22-0.51, thereby suggesting that the reliability of the scale was acceptable. Acceptable validity and reliability were demonstrated for the HF knowledge scale developed in this study. This instrument could be useful in evaluation of patient knowledge about HF. (Int Heart J 2013; 54: 228-233)

Assessment of Transthyretin Combined With Mini Nutritional Assessment on Admission Provides Useful Prognostic Information in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

“…7,8) Malnutrition in HF patients causes body fluid accumulation and infection and exacerbates their general physical condition, resulting in a further deterioration in their nutritional status. Patients may be caught in a vicious circle, starting with malnutrition, progressing to cardiac cachexia, and ending with an extremely poor prognosis.…”

Questionnaires Designed to Assess Knowledge of Heart Failure Patients

“…Overall, 4 (33.33%) were considered ''good,'' 36,39,41,42 and 8 studies (66.66%) were considered ''fair.'' 35,37,38,40,43Y46 None of the studies were considered ''poor'' quality.…”

Development and Validation of a Heart Failure–Specific Health Literacy Scale

“…34,35 The Japanese HF Knowledge scale consists of items that assess knowledge about anatomical physiology of the heart, signs and symptoms of HF, as well as self-care behavior with HF. 26 In the present study, communicative HL items included dealing with information about HF symptoms (items 6 and 7) and a critical HL item measuring the ability to use health information for self-care behavior (item 12). There was thus a significant correlation between the 2 scales, which confirms the validity of the new HL scale.…”

“…26 This questionnaire consists of 15 items to which patients could respond with yes, no, or ''I don't know.'' One point was given for each correct answer; an incorrect answer or ''I don't know'' received no points.…”