Illness perception and treatment adherence in patients with chronic heart failure and sideropenic anemia

Abstract

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to examine whether the perception of the patient's disease and adherence to treatment process influence treatment outcomes of heart failure. The secondary aim was to analyze whether there were differences in perception and adherence in patients with heart failure in relation to anemia. Method. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2015. One group consisted of 100 patients with heart failure and sideropenic anemia. The other group consisted of 100 patients without anemia. The standardized questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire to measure the patients' perception of the disease and modified Clinician rating scale to assess patient' s adherence. Results: The majority of respondents in the first group were women-63%, while in the second group there were 58% male and 42% female respondents. Respondents from the first group had statistically significantly lower adherence compared to respondents from the second group (χ2 = 23.28; p=0.05). A significant difference was found between the groups of subjects in comparison to the perception of disease control (χ2=18.03; p=0.05). Conclusion: The illness perception and treatment adherence have a significant impact on treatment outcomes of heart failure. Comorbidities, such as anemia, contribute to the patients' perception of their disease and influence their adherence.