The Level of Self-Care among Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Abstract

Introduction: In a long-term approach to the treatment of heart failure, importance is given to the process of self-care management and behaviors. The number of rehospitalizations and unscheduled medical visits can be reduced by actively engaging patients in the self-care process. Methods: The study included 403 patients with chronic heart failure (mean LVEF 40.53%), hospitalized in the Cardiology Department. Medical record analysis and a self-report questionnaire were used to obtain basic sociodemographic and clinical data. The European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior Scale, revised into a nine-item scale (EHFScBS-9), was used to evaluate self-care behavior. Results: Analysis of the EHFSc-9 self-care behavior scale showed that the mean score was 49.55 out of 100 possible points (SD = 22.07). Univariate analysis revealed that significant (p < 0.05) negative predictors of the EHFScB-9 self-care scale included: male sex (b = −5146), hospitalizations in the last year (b = −5488), NYHA class II (b = −11,797) and NYHA IV class (b = −15,196). The multivariate linear regression model showed that a significant (p ˂ 0.05) negative predictor of the EHFScB-9 self-care scale was male sex (b = −5.575). Conclusions: Patients with chronic HF achieve near optimal self-care behavior outcomes. A patient prepared to engage with self-care will have fewer rehospitalizations and a better quality of life.

Self-care and quality of life among men with chronic heart failure

“…In addition, Dellafiore et al in a cross-sectional study of 346 patients with CHF found that men were four times more likely to be at risk for inadequate self-care compared to women (OR 4.596; 95% CI 1.075-19.650) (22). In our study the mean score of EHFScB-9 questionnaire was averaged 50.31 points out of 100 possible, so the results that we obtained are similar to the results in our previous studies (18,19) but also indicate a low level of self-care in the male group remaining in agreement with the available literature (21,23). Jaarasma et al in a meta-analysis of selfcare behaviors among 5,964 HF patients reported sub-optimal levels of self-care.…”

“…Mei et al in a cross-sectional study evaluating self-care behaviors using the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model in 210 CHF patients, found lower levels of self-care in men compared to women (51.4 ± 14.8 in men and 55.6 ± 14.1 in women). Interestingly, associated factors of self-care in men were social support and self-care confidence (21). In addition, Dellafiore et al in a cross-sectional study of 346 patients with CHF found that men were four times more likely to be at risk for inadequate self-care compared to women (OR 4.596; 95% CI 1.075-19.650) (22).…”

Wiedza pielęgniarek na temat zasad samozarządzania w niewydolności serca i ich rola jako edukatorów pacjentów - przegląd narracyjny

“…This reasoning may be potentially useful in HF with preserved ejection fraction, where no proven pharmacological treatment exists [36]. On the other hand, future directions from a research perspective should involve more studies with fair methodological aspects are needed to provide insights into some of the effective ways to improve the nurses' knowledge about HF self-management and the crucial roles of a nurse in empowering HF patients in this process [37,38]. To sum up, the unique role of HF nurses and their competence to effectively implement self-management for patients based on solid knowledge and current guidelines from cardiological societies.…”

The role of patient activation in self‐care behaviours of Korean older adults with heart failure

“…Adherence to self‐care behaviours is statiscally significant in the long‐term HF management (Savarese et al, 2022). Nevertheless, self‐care behaviours in HF patients was suboptimal because HF self‐care mainly includes complex management skills, such as taking medications, symptom monitoring, fluid and sodium restrictions, and lifestyle modification (Pobrotyn et al, 2021). Heart failure self‐care is more difficult for older adults than it is for younger adults.…”

“…Nevertheless, self-care behaviours in HF patients was suboptimal because HF self-care mainly includes complex management skills, such as taking medications, symptom monitoring, fluid and sodium restrictions, and lifestyle modification (Pobrotyn et al, 2021).…”