The Prevalence and Associated Distress of Physical and Psychological Symptoms in Patients With Advanced Heart Failure Attending a South African Medical Center

Validity and reliability of the thirst distress scale and the short version of the xerostomia inventory for use in German patients with chronic heart failure: A multicenter cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Thirst and xerostomia are prevalent and distressing symptoms in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Evaluation of interventions to alleviate these symptoms requires valid and reliable instruments. Such instruments are currently lacking for German patients with CHF.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the structural and convergent validity, and internal consistency reliability of the German versions of the Thirst Distress Scale for Patients with Heart Failure (G-TDS-HF) and the short form of the Xerostomia Inventory (G-SXI).

METHODS

A cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted involving patients with CHF. Participants completed a questionnaire containing the G-TDS-HF, G-SXI, and a visual analog scale (VAS) to indicate intensity of thirst and xerostomia. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to assess structural validity. To assess internal consistency reliability, McDonald's Omega total was calculated, and Pearson´s r was used to examine convergent validity.

RESULTS

A total of 371 patients (62.4 (± 14.9) years, 28.3 % female) participated in the study. Factor analysis of the G-TDS-HF revealed a two-factor structure. One factor represents symptom occurrence, and the second factor is symptom distress. Internal consistency reliability was deemed adequate, with McDonald's Omega total coefficients of 0.81. The correlation between the sum scores of the G-TDS-HF and thirst intensity (VAS) was r = 0.44 (p < 0.001). The G-SXI demonstrated a single-factor structure with a McDonald's Omega total of 0.71. The correlation between the G-SXI and xerostomia intensity (VAS) was r = 0.36 (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that the G-TDS-HF and the G-SXI are valid and reliable instruments. Further research is warranted to assess responsiveness and test-retest reliability to strengthen the evidence.

The Effect of Heart Failure Symptom Clusters on Quality of Life: The Moderating Effect of Self-Care Behaviours

BACKGROUND

Although heart failure (HF) symptoms affect patients' quality of life (QoL), improving patients' QoL requires certain self-care behaviours. However, the specific role of self-care behaviours in the relationship between HF symptoms and QoL has not been clarified.

AIMS

To evaluate the status of symptom clusters, self-care behaviours and QoL in HF patients, and to analyse and test the moderating effect of self-care behaviours between symptom clusters and QoL.

DESIGN

This study is a cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A total of 320 HF patients who treated in the three hospitals in Chengdu, China, from December 2022 to July 2023 were selected as the research subjects. The patients were evaluated using The General Information Questionnaire, Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale Heart Failure, Self-Care of Heart Failure Index and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. The statistical analysis methods were exploratory factor analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, hierarchical regression analysis and simple slope analysis.

RESULTS

There were five symptom clusters in HF patients: emotional symptom cluster (sadness, anxiety, irritability, feeling nervous), digestive symptom cluster (lack of appetite, dry mouth, weight loss, nausea, abdominal distension), ischemic symptom cluster (dizziness, chest pain, palpitations, fatigue), dyspnoea symptom cluster (difficulty breathing when lying flat, waking up breathless at night, sleep difficulty) and congestion symptom cluster (cough, shortness of breath, oedema). There was a significant correlation between HF symptom group, self-care behaviours and QoL (p < 0.05). Both self-care maintenance (β = -0.262, p < 0.001) and self-care management (β = -0.258, p < 0.001) had a moderating effect between symptom clusters and QoL.

CONCLUSION

There are a variety of symptom clusters in HF patients. Improving the self-care behaviours ability of HF patients is conducive to reducing the impact of HF symptom clusters on QoL.

REPORTING METHOD

The study used the STROBE checklist for reporting.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Medical staff should focus on the impact of HF symptom clusters and self-care behaviours on QoL, and formulate corresponding interventions for HF symptom clusters and self-care behaviours to improve the QoL of patients.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

The head nurse of the cardiovascular department actively assisted us in collecting questionnaires from HF patients, and all HF patients surveyed participated in this study seriously.

Multi-trajectories of symptoms and their associations with unplanned 30-day hospital readmission among patients with heart failure: a longitudinal study

AIMS

This study aimed to uncover hidden patterns and predictors of symptom multi-trajectories within 30 days after discharge in patients with heart failure and assess the risk of unplanned 30-day hospital readmission in different patterns.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study was conducted from September 2022 to September 2023 in four third-class hospitals in Tianjin, China. A total of 301 patients with heart failure were enrolled in the cohort, and 248 patients completed a 30-day follow-up after discharge. Three multi-trajectory groups were identified: mild symptom status (24.19%), moderate symptom status (57.26%), and severe symptom status (18.55%). With the mild symptom status group as a reference, physical frailty, psychological frailty, and comorbid renal dysfunction were predictors of the moderate symptom status group. Physical frailty, psychological frailty, resilience, taking diuretics, and comorbid renal dysfunction were predictors of the severe symptom status group. Compared with the mild symptom status group, the severe symptom status group was significantly associated with high unplanned 30-day hospital readmission risks.

CONCLUSION

This study identified three distinct multi-trajectory groups among patients with heart failure within 30 days after discharge. The severe symptom status group was associated with a significantly increased risk of unplanned 30-day hospital readmission. Common and different factors predicted different symptom multi-trajectories. Healthcare providers should assess the physical and psychological frailty and renal dysfunction of patients with heart failure before discharge. Inpatient care aimed at alleviating physical and psychological frailty and enhancing resilience may be important to improve patients' symptom development post-discharge.

Psychosomatic mechanisms of heart failure symptoms on quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure: A multi-centre cross-sectional study

AIMS

To determine the contributions of different kinds of symptoms to the quality of life and mediating effect of psychological and physical symptoms between heart failure symptoms and quality of life.

DESIGN

A multi-centre cross-sectional study.

METHODS

2006 chronic heart failure patients from four cities were recruited in China from January 2021 to December 2022. Patients' symptoms and quality of life were self-reported, and data were analysed using correlation analysis, dominance analysis and mediating effects analysis.

RESULTS

The dominance analysis revealed that the overall mean contributions of heart failure, psychological and physical symptoms were .083, .085 and .111; 29.5%, 30.2% and 39.5% of the known variance. And heart failure symptoms could negatively affect quality of life through psychological and physical symptoms, accounting for 28.39% and 22.95% of the total effect. Heart failure symptoms could also affect quality of life through the chain-mediated effect of physical and psychological symptoms, accounting for 16.74%.

CONCLUSIONS

Physiological symptoms had the strongest effect on quality of life and heart failure symptoms had the weakest. Most of the effect for heart failure symptoms on quality of life in chronic heart failure patients was mediated by psychological and physiological symptoms.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

It is important to design non-pharmacological intervention plans for the enhancement of physical and psychological symptoms' management skills, to reduce the adverse impact of heart failure symptoms on quality of life.

REPORTING METHOD

Study methods and results reported in adherence to the STROBE checklist.

NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patients or members of the public were involved in the study.

High Prevalence and Burden of Physical and Psychological Symptoms in a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Population in Primary Care Settings in South Africa

Background

Many deaths globally are attributable to non-communicable disease, and four-fifths of these deaths are in low- and middle-income countries. Globally, COPD is currently the third leading cause of mortality.

Research Question

1) To determine the prevalence and burden of symptoms and concerns, and 2) determine predicting factors of symptom burden among patients with COPD.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted at eight primary care sites in Western Cape. We collected socio-demographic data (age, gender, smoking status, number of missed doses of prescribed medication in the last seven days) and clinical data (PEF and KPS). The Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS), the Medical Outcomes Study, Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS), the London Chest Activity of Daily Living Scale (LCADLS) and the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) (impairment on person's life) were administered to patients. We conducted ordered logistic regression analysis to assess factors associated with the burden of symptoms. MSAS subscales: 1) Global symptom distress index, 2) physical symptom distress and 3) psychological symptom distress were dependent outcomes. We constructed three ordinal logistic regression models for each of the three subscales. Covariates were MOS-SSS, LCADLS, CAT, demographic and clinical variables.

Results

We recruited n=387 patients, mean age 59.5 years, 53.0% female. In multivariate analysis, each of the three models (ie, global, psychological and physical symptom distress) was positively associated with impairment on person's life p<0.001, difficulty to perform activities of daily living p<0.001, and low social support p<0.001. Old age was associated with lower global symptom distress (p=0.004), psychological and (0.014) physical distress (0.005). Missing 1 or more doses of medication was associated with higher levels of global (0.004) and physical (0.005) symptom distress.

Interpretation

The high prevalence and burden of physical and psychological symptoms provides strong evidence of the need for integrating person-centred assessment and management of symptoms in primary care settings.

Symptom prevalence, severity, distress and management among patients with chronic diseases

BACKGROUND

Advanced knowledge, technology, and treatment approaches resulted in longer survival rates for patients suffering from chronic diseases. However, symptoms of these diseases persist and affect the individual's entire life and normal functioning.

AIM

To assess symptoms prevalence, severity, distress, and management among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), chronic heart failure (CHF), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Oman.

DESIGN

A descriptive cross-sectional design was used.

SAMPLE AND SETTINGS

The study sample comprised 340 participants who were recruited between May and December 2021 from two referral hospitals and one large dialysis unit in the Sultanate of Oman, Muscat Governate using a convenience sampling technique.

RESULTS

The highly prevalent symptoms among patients with selected chronic diseases were lack of energy (60.9%), pain (57.4%), numbness (53.2%), difficulty sleeping (49.4%), and shortness of breath (45.9%). The most severe symptoms were shortness of breath (53.2%), problems with urination (51.9%), constipation (50.8%), difficulty sleeping (49.7%), and pain (46.2%). The symptom "problems with sexual interests or activity" was found to be the most frequently occurring and highly distressing symptom out of all reported symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study's findings showed that symptoms were prevalent and that some symptoms were frequent, severe, and highly distressing. In addition, patients perceived symptom treatment as inadequate. Psychological symptoms received less treatment attention compared with physical symptoms. One of the mainstays for managing symptoms can be the introduction of palliative care. Providing palliative care to these patients can alleviate their suffering and improve their quality of life. In addition, designing chronic disease self-management programmes can make a difference in patients' life.

The association between physical symptoms and self-care behaviours in heart failure patients with inadequate self-care behaviours: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Patients with heart failure frequently report inadequate self-care behaviours. Physical symptoms can impact patients' ability to perform self-care behaviours. However, studies investigating the association between physical symptoms and heart failure self-care behaviours have produced inconsistent findings, potentially due to variations in the determinants of self-care behaviours among patients with differing levels of self-care proficiency. Understanding the association between physical symptoms and self-care behaviours in heart failure patients with inadequate self-care behaviours could improve care for this subpopulation. The study aimed to explore the association between physical symptoms and self-care behaviours in Chinese heart failure patients with inadequate self-care behaviours.

METHODS

This analysis was based on primary data from a cross-sectional study that aimed to investigate factors associated with self-care in heart failure patients. Physical symptoms were measured using the Heart Failure Somatic Perception Scale. Self-care behaviours (i.e., self-care maintenance and management) of heart failure were measured using the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (version 6.2). Patients who reported scores < 70 on both self-care maintenance and management behaviours were eligible and included in the analysis. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed to explore the association between physical symptoms and self-care behaviours.

RESULTS

A total of 189 patients were included in the analysis, with a mean age of 65 years and a median duration of living with heart failure of 24 months. Most participants were classified as New York Heart Association class III or IV. Dyspnoea symptoms were the most frequently reported physical symptoms. The results of the hierarchical regression analysis showed that the severity of physical symptoms was positively associated with self-care management behaviours (β = 0.157, 95% CI: 0.010, 0.368, p = 0.039) but not significantly associated with self-care maintenance behaviours (β = -0.133, 95% CI: -0.316, 0.026, p = 0.097).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the data collected in Changsha, China, we found that patients with HF with poor self-care experienced more dyspnoea symptoms. Severe HF physical symptoms might serve as drivers for better self-care management in patients with inadequate self-care behaviours. Effective care and support should be provided when physical symptoms worsen to facilitate patients' engagement in self-care behaviour in this subpopulation.

The prognostic impact of symptom clusters in patients with heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

To determine the impact of symptom clusters on clinical outcomes among heart failure patients.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Peer-reviewed articles were searched from 12 English and Chinese language databases from inception to August 2021.

REVIEW METHODS

Narrative syntheses were first conducted to integrate symptom clusters reported in the identified studies. This was followed by meta-analysis to synthesize the evidence on the association or predictive effects of symptom clusters on clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were identified. Among studies which identified highly correlated symptoms as in a cluster, meta-analysis indicated that severe congestive (r = .45, 95% CI = 0.38-0.52), weary (r = .41, 95% CI = 0.33-0.50), ischaemic (r = .29, 95% CI = 0.04-0.51) and stress-related (r = .62, 95% CI = 0.31-0.81) symptom clusters were correlated with a poorer health-related quality of life. As for studies used latent class to identified patient cohorts of similar symptom pattern, high symptom cohorts (hazard ratio = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.39-2.48) and incongruent physical and psycho-cognitive symptom cohorts was associated with a significantly higher risk (hazard ratio = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.44-3.07) of combined event rate relative to low symptom presentation.

CONCLUSIONS

This review has identified the impact of symptom clusters on clinical outcomes in heart failure patients. In addition to the classical physical symptoms highlighted in the clinical management guidelines, our findings suggested the important predictive role of psycho-cognitive and weary symptoms in determining the clinical outcomes of HF patients.

IMPACT

This review concluded the promising prospect of symptom clusters in shaping clinical outcomes of heart failure. The findings highlighted the importance of integrating care to minimize the disease impact on psycho-cognitive function and weary symptoms among this clinical cohort. The review also inform the direction on how to advance the knowledge on symptom clusters among this clinical cohort.

What constitutes a palliative care need in people with serious illnesses across Africa? A mixed-methods systematic review of the concept and evidence

BACKGROUND

Clarity on what constitutes a palliative care need is essential to ensure that health systems and clinical services deliver an appropriate response within Universal Health Coverage.

AIM

To synthesise primary evidence from Africa for palliative care needs among patients and families with serious illness.

DESIGN

We conducted a mixed methods systematic review with sequential synthesis design. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019136606) and included studies were quality assessed using Mixed Method Appraisal Tool.

DATA SOURCES

Six global literature databases and Three Africa-specific databases were searched up to October 2020 for terms related to palliative care, serious illnesses and Africa. Palliative care need was defined as multidimensional problems, symptoms, distress and concerns which can benefit from palliative care.

RESULTS

Of 7810 papers screened, 159 papers met eligibility criteria. Palliative care needs were mostly described amongst patients with HIV/AIDS (n = 99 studies) or cancer (n = 59), from East (n = 72) and Southern (n = 89) Africa. Context-specific palliative care needs included managing pregnancy and breastfeeding, preventing infection transmission (physical); health literacy needs, worry about medical bills (psychological); isolation and stigma, overwhelmed families needing a break, struggling to pay children's school fees and selling assets (social and practical needs); and rites associated with cultural and religious beliefs (spiritual).

CONCLUSIONS

Palliative care assessment and care must reflect the context-driven specific needs of patients and families in Africa, in line with the novel framework. Health literacy is a crucial need in this context that must be met to ensure that the benefits of palliative care can be achieved at the patient-level.

The Prevalence of Complementary and Integrative Health Approach Use and Quality of Life Among Patients With Heart Failure: A Cross-sectional, Descriptive, and Comparative Study

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of complementary and integrative health approach (CIHA) use in patients with heart failure (HF) and compare quality of life (QoL) between CIHA users and nonusers. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and comparative study including 130 patients with HF in Turkey. The data were collected using the sociodemographic and CIHA information form and the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). The mean age was 64.51 ± 10.40 years. Furthermore, 26.1% of the participants had used at least one form of CIHA in the previous year. The most used CIHA was herbal therapies (94.2%). The total scores of the KCCQ were 47.70 ± 9.50 in the study, and a statistically significant difference was found in the total scores of the KCCQ between CIHA users and nonusers. The findings of this study revealed that more than a quartile of patients with HF used at least one form of CIHA. Further prospective studies are warranted to follow up with patients having HF who use any form of CIHA for a longer period and determine other parameters that directly influence QoL.

Impact of a Palliative Care Education Module in Patients With Heart Failure

Background:

Heart failure (HF) impacts 6.2 million American adults. With no cure, therapies aim to prevent progression and manage symptoms. Inclusion of palliative care (PC) helps improve symptoms and quality of life. Heart failure guidelines recommend the inclusion of PC in HF therapy, but referrals are often delayed.

Objective:

Introduce PC to patients with HF and examine the impact on PC consults, readmission, mortality, and intensive care unit (ICU) transfers.

Methods:

Patients (n = 60) admitted with HF to an academic hospital were asked to view a PC educational module. A number of PC consults, re-admissions, mortality, and transfers to the ICU were compared among participants and those who declined.

Results:

Nine patients in the intervention group (n = 30) requested a PC consult ( P = .042) versus 2 in the usual care group (n = 30; P = .302). There was no statistically significant difference in readmissions, mortality, or ICU transfers between groups.

Conclusions:

Palliative care education increases the likelihood of PC utilization but in this short-term project was not found to statistically impact mortality, re-admissions, or transfers to higher levels of care.

Integration of a palliative approach into heart failure care: a European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Association position paper

The Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology has published a previous position paper and various guidelines over the past decade recognizing the value of palliative care for those affected by this burdensome condition. Integrating palliative care into evidence-based heart failure management remains challenging for many professionals, as it includes the identification of palliative care needs, symptom control, adjustment of drug and device therapy, advance care planning, family and informal caregiver support, and trying to ensure a 'good death'. This new position paper aims to provide day-to-day practical clinical guidance on these topics, supporting the coordinated provision of palliation strategies as goals of care fluctuate along the heart failure disease trajectory. The specific components of palliative care for symptom alleviation, spiritual and psychosocial support, and the appropriate modification of guideline-directed treatment protocols, including drug deprescription and device deactivation, are described for the chronic, crisis and terminal phases of heart failure.

Assessment of causal link between psychological factors and symptom exacerbation in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review utilising Bradford Hill criteria and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

BACKGROUND

Psychological stress is a prevalent factor in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with detrimental effects on patients' quality of life and possibly disease course. Although the aetiology of symptom exacerbation in IBD has been explored, determining any causation between psychological stress and symptom worsening remains challenging and requires a methodologically rigorous approach.

AIM

The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to determine a causal relationship between psychological stress and symptom exacerbation in IBD, subsequently utilising Bradford Hill's criteria (approach never used in this topic area before) to evaluate the likelihood of causal associations.

METHODS

Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycInfo were searched for relevant studies up to July 20, 2019. Data extraction and quality appraisal were performed by two independent reviewers. Results of all retained papers were presented as a narrative synthesis. A random-effect meta-analysis was conducted on studies meeting the criteria for meta-analysis. Bradford Hill criteria were applied to assess the causality of the relationship between all psychological factors and symptom exacerbation.

RESULTS

The searches yielded 2472 potential articles. Nineteen clinical prospective cohort studies were eligible for the narrative review with five suitable for the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed depression, anxiety and perceived stress did not have a statistically significant association with an increased risk of symptom exacerbation. Four of the Bradford Hill criteria were met which indicates that there is weak to moderate evidence of a causal association between all the psychological factors and disease activity. Inconsistent results and a dearth of studies using the same tools for measuring psychological factors suggest the need for more research to be done to facilitate more conclusive findings.

CONCLUSIONS

This original review utilising Bradford Hill criteria in addition to meta-analysis to evaluate the causality of relationship between psychological factors and symptom exacerbation in IBD provides evidence that psychological factors have a weak to moderate causal involvement in IBD symptom exacerbation. However, when combining this finding with the outcomes of the meta-analysis, we can say that the results were inconclusive. Interventions to reduce the associated psychological impact should be part of the treatment plan for patients with IBD.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42012003143.

Respiratory Failure, Noninvasive Ventilation, and Symptom Burden: An Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is commonly used to manage acute respiratory failure due to decompensated cardiorespiratory disease. We describe symptom burden in this population.

MEASURES

Fifty consecutive, consenting, English-speaking, cognitively intact patients, admitted to wards other than the intensive care unit in a tertiary teaching hospital and treated with NIV for hypercapnic respiratory failure, were recruited. The 14-item Condensed Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale was used to assess physical and psychological symptoms within 36 hours of commencing NIV. Breathlessness (using Borg score), pain location and intensity using a numerical rating scale, and four symptoms potentially prevalent in patients undergoing NIV (cough, sputum, gastric bloating, and dry eyes) were also assessed.

OUTCOMES

Patients reported a median of 10 symptoms (IQR 9-13). A median of five symptoms (IQR 3-7) were rated as severe. Breathlessness was the most prevalent and most distressing symptom, with participants reporting a mean maximum Borg score of 7.55 over the 24 hours before admission. Dry mouth, lack of energy, cough, sputum, difficulty sleeping, and psychological symptoms were prevalent. Pain, when reported, was of moderate intensity and contributed to distress.

CONCLUSIONS/LESSONS LEARNED

This study describes the patient-reported symptoms occurring during an episode of acute respiratory failure. Understanding the symptom profile of patients in this setting may allow clinicians to target symptom relief while simultaneously managing respiratory failure, enhancing care.

Getting to the Heart of the Matter: A Regional Survey of Current Hospice Practices Caring for Patients With Heart Failure Receiving Advanced Therapies

Background:

No guidelines exist regarding care for patients with advanced heart failure (HF) receiving hospice care while continuing advanced HF therapies such as left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) or continuous inotropes.

Objective:

We surveyed hospice providers in our tristate region to determine hospice demographics, current practices for care of patients with advanced HF, and perceived challenges of providing advanced HF therapies.

Design:

Cross-sectional survey of hospice clinical and administrative leaders.

Results:

Forty-six respondents representing 23 hospices completed the survey. Over half (27/46) held leadership administrative roles, and most (37/46) had more than 5 years of hospice experience. Although lack of experience and cost were cited as primary barriers to providing inotrope therapy in home hospice, about half of respondents (24/46) said they would manage inotropes. All participants said their respective hospices accept patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators; over half (28/46) said they accept patients with LVADs into hospice care. Lack of experience with LVADs was the most frequently cited barrier. Most participants were interested in training and support by an advanced HF program to facilitate hospice care of patients receiving these advanced therapies. General access to hospice services for patients with HF at their organization was considered adequate by 30 of 46 participants. Most (32/46) reported that referrals are made too late.

Conclusions:

Hospice specialists reported widely varied practice experiences caring for patients with HF receiving advanced therapies, noted specific challenges for care of these patients, and expressed a desire for targeted HF education.

Symptom burden in heart failure: assessment, impact on outcomes, and management

Evidence-based management has improved long-term survival in patients with heart failure (HF). However, an unintended consequence of increased longevity is that patients with HF are exposed to a greater symptom burden over time. In addition to classic symptoms such as dyspnea and edema, patients with HF frequently suffer additional symptoms such as pain, depression, gastrointestinal distress, and fatigue. In addition to obvious effects on quality of life, untreated symptoms increase clinical events including emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and long-term mortality in a dose-dependent fashion. Symptom management in patients with HF consists of two key components: comprehensive symptom assessment and sufficient knowledge of available approaches to alleviate the symptoms. Successful treatment addresses not just the physical but also the emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of suffering. Despite a lack of formal experience during cardiovascular training, symptom management in HF can be learned and implemented effectively by cardiology providers. Co-management with palliative medicine specialists can add significant value across the spectrum and throughout the course of HF.

Comfort-Supporting Nursing Activities for End-of-Life Patients in an Institutionalized Environment

PURPOSE

Comfort promotion plays a significant role in end-of-life patient care. The objective of this study was to determine the utilization rate of comfort supporting nursing activities in end-of-life patients in an institutionalized environment in the Czech Republic in relation to the age of the registered nurses (RNs), length of work experience, education level, and type of workplace.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional, descriptive study was designed. A questionnaire with Likert scales included 31 activities of dying care and spiritual support interventions. The sample comprised 907 RNs working in 49 institutions in nine regions of the Czech Republic. The Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U post-hoc test with Bonferroni correction of significance, Spearman's correlation analysis, and logical regression model were used for statistical evaluation.

FINDINGS

The least frequently implemented activity by RNs was "Show the patient's willingness to discuss death" and the most frequent activity was "Threat to the patient's dignity and respect." The highest utilization rate of nursing activities was reported in the physical dimension, while the lowest utilization rate of nursing activities was in the social dimension set. Significant predictors for the high utilization rate of physical dimension set activities were hospice care departments, long-term care facilities (LTCFs), and the age of RNs. Hospice departments were also a predictor of high utilization rate of activities in the psychological, spiritual, and social dimension set activities.

CONCLUSIONS

With the exception of hospice departments, RNs used activities encouraging psychological, spiritual, and social comfort for end-of-life patients less frequently than the physical dimension.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

RNs in hospitals and LTCFs focus insufficiently on the spiritual and psychosocial comfort of end-of-life patients. This study is of particular significance to educators who prepare the next generation of nurses.

Improving care for people with heart failure in Uganda: serial in-depth interviews with patients' and their health care professionals

BACKGROUND

The short prognosis of patients with advanced heart failure (HF) and the associated multidimensional distress as illustrated in literature from high income countries necessitates the integration of palliative care into the care of advanced HF patients to address these needs and improve their quality of life. These needs, which are subjective, have not been described from the patients' and health care professionals'(HPs) view point in the Ugandan setting, a low income country with a different socio-cultural context. This study aimed at bridging this gap in knowledge by eliciting patients' and HPs' views of HF patients' needs over the course of their illness to enable generalists, cardiologists and palliative care clinicians to develop guidelines to provide patient-centred realistic care in Uganda.

METHODS

Serial qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with HF patients who were purposively sampled and recruited in Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH) until thematic saturation. In-depth interviews were conducted at three time points with intervals of 3 month between interviews over the course of their illness in the hospital and their home context. One-off interviews were conducted with HPs that manage HF in MNRH. We used a grounded theory approach in data analysis. The Uganda National Council of science and technology approved the research.

RESULTS

Forty-eight interviews were conducted with 21 patients and their carers and eight interviews with their HPs. Multidimensional needs including physical, psychological, social, spiritual and information needs were identified. These highlighted the underpinning need to have normal functioning, control, to cope and adapt to a changed life and to find meaning. Spiritual needs were less recognised by HPs than the other multidimensional needs. Information needs were commonly unmet. Patients and HPs suggested improvements in care that were congruent with the recommendations in chronic disease care and the six pillars of the WHO health systems strengthening approach.

CONCLUSION

Management of HF in Uganda requires an approach that targets multidimensional needs, embraces multidisciplinary care and strengthens health systems which are all important tenets of palliative care.

Palliative care in heart failure: facts and numbers

Millions of people worldwide have heart failure. Despite enormous advances in care that have improved outcome, heart failure remains associated with a poor prognosis. Worldwide, there is poor short-term and long-term survival. The 1 year survival following a heart failure admission is in the range of 20-40% with between-country variation. For those living with heart failure, the symptom burden is high. Studies report that 55 to 95% of patients experience shortness of breath and 63 to 93% experience tiredness. These symptoms are associated with a high level of distress (43-89%). Fewer patients experience symptoms such as constipation (25-30%) or dry mouth (35-74%). However, when they do, such symptoms are associated with high levels of distress (constipation: 15-39%; dry mouth: 14-33%). Psychological symptoms also predominate with possibly as many as 50% experiencing depression. Palliative care services in heart failure are not widely available. Even in countries with well-developed services, only around 4% of patients are referred for specialist palliative care. Many patients and their families would benefit from receiving specialist palliative care support.

Assessment of Risk Factors in Patients With Myocardial Infarction

Background:

Coronary artery diseases (CAD) are one of the important health problems in the world, although considerable progresses have been made to decrease the mortality, they are still the first cause of death in many countries. Hence, the necessity of examining effective factors and risk factors on CAD can be one of the most important health priorities in many countries like Iran.

Objective:

This study was performed to assess the risk factors in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) in Zahedan.

Materials and Methods:

This is a cross sectional study in which 213 patients were examined. They had been diagnosed to have heart failure. Data gathering took 18 months. Data gathering tool was a designed checklist which was filled up by an experienced nurse during interview. Obtained results were recorded in files and analyzed in SPSS 21.

Results:

Results showed that 70% of patients were women and only 30% were men. 48% of them were illiterate and patients mean age was 58.3. SD had been 12.6. The mean of pain onset time till referring to hospital was 11 hours with SD of 2.1. 17% of patients (coronary artery diseases history), 25.5% (hypertension history), 26% (diabetes history), 15.5% (cholesterol history), 13% (smoking) and 3% have reported CABG history. The majority of people who referred had inferior MI (40.4%). 67.1% normal rhythm, 2.8% atrial fibrillation and 16% had ventricular tachycardia. Statistical tests showed a significant correlation between sex and the mean of referring time (p<0.05) but the relation between age and referring time was not significant.

Conclusion:

Effective risk factors on MI were recognized in this study. Some of them such as age, sex and education cannot be modified but many are controllable such as hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, and smoking and on time referring after pain onset. Having considered the results of this study health promotion for society and especially vulnerable people can be provided by omitting or reducing risk factors.