Symptom burden clusters and their impact on psychosocial functioning following coronary artery bypass surgery

"It's Incapacitated Me in so Many Ways": Older Adults' Lived Experience With Postoperative Symptoms at Home After Major Elective Surgery

OBJECTIVE

This qualitative study aimed to explore the challenges faced by older adults regarding the postoperative symptom experience after major elective surgery.

BACKGROUND

Although extensively studied in oncology settings, the impact of postoperative symptom burden remains largely underexplored in elective major surgery among older adults.

METHODS

We employed convenience sampling to recruit adults aged 65 years or above undergoing major elective surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. Semistructured interviews regarding the surgical experience were conducted at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. An inductive qualitative approach was used to identify emerging themes. Symptoms revealed by participants during interviews were also captured.

RESULTS

Nineteen participants completed a 1-month postoperative interview, and 17 additionally completed a 3-month interview. Three themes emerged: (1) postoperative symptoms significantly impacted valued life activities and psychosocial well-being, (2) participants felt "caught off guard" by the intensity and duration of postoperative symptoms, and (3) participants expressed the need for additional support, resources, and education on symptom management. The most frequently mentioned symptoms were postoperative pain (n=12, 63.1%), gastrointestinal discomfort (n=8, 42.1%), and anxiety/stress (n=8, 42.1%) at 1-month postsurgery compared with pain and depression (both n=6, 35.3%) at 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Study participants were surprised by the negative impact of postoperative symptoms on their psychosocial well-being and ability to engage in valued life activities. Symptom burden is an important patient-reported outcome that should be assessed postoperatively. Interventions to minimize postoperative symptom burden in older adults could optimize quality of life and participation in meaningful activities during surgical recovery.

Zolpidem improves patients' sleep quality after surgical treatment for infective endocarditis: a prospective observational study

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of zolpidem for improving post-operative sleep quality among patients with infective endocarditis (IE) and to identify the potential risk factors for impaired sleep quality at 6 months after surgery.

METHODS

Patients with IE who underwent surgical treatment were divided into two groups according to zolpidem usage. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were used to evaluate patients' sleep quality and daytime sleepiness at baseline, which was the second day after transferal, and at 6 months after surgery. Logistic regression was used to identify potential risk factors.

RESULTS

There were 32 patients in the zolpidem group and 42 in the control group. The PSQI and ESS scores at 6 months after surgery were significantly lower than those at baseline in both groups (P = 0.04). Additionally, 9 patients (28%) in the zolpidem group and 22 patients (52%) in the control group suffered poor sleep quality. Multivariate analysis identified age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-1.42), baseline PSQI score (OR = 2.66, 95%CI: 1.55-4.65), and no zolpidem usage (OR = 45.48, 95%CI: 3.01-691.23) as independent factors for poor sleep quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Poor sleep quality after IE surgery was prevalent among patients even 6 months after IE surgery. Age, baseline PSQI score and no zolpidem usage were independently associated with poor sleep quality. Therefore, zolpidem has the potential to be an effective part of a treatment arsenal for poor sleep quality after surgical treatment for IE.

Machine learning for subtype definition and risk prediction in heart failure, acute coronary syndromes and atrial fibrillation: systematic review of validity and clinical utility

BACKGROUND

Machine learning (ML) is increasingly used in research for subtype definition and risk prediction, particularly in cardiovascular diseases. No existing ML models are routinely used for cardiovascular disease management, and their phase of clinical utility is unknown, partly due to a lack of clear criteria. We evaluated ML for subtype definition and risk prediction in heart failure (HF), acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODS

For ML studies of subtype definition and risk prediction, we conducted a systematic review in HF, ACS and AF, using PubMed, MEDLINE and Web of Science from January 2000 until December 2019. By adapting published criteria for diagnostic and prognostic studies, we developed a seven-domain, ML-specific checklist.

RESULTS

Of 5918 studies identified, 97 were included. Across studies for subtype definition (n = 40) and risk prediction (n = 57), there was variation in data source, population size (median 606 and median 6769), clinical setting (outpatient, inpatient, different departments), number of covariates (median 19 and median 48) and ML methods. All studies were single disease, most were North American (n = 61/97) and only 14 studies combined definition and risk prediction. Subtype definition and risk prediction studies respectively had limitations in development (e.g. 15.0% and 78.9% of studies related to patient benefit; 15.0% and 15.8% had low patient selection bias), validation (12.5% and 5.3% externally validated) and impact (32.5% and 91.2% improved outcome prediction; no effectiveness or cost-effectiveness evaluations).

CONCLUSIONS

Studies of ML in HF, ACS and AF are limited by number and type of included covariates, ML methods, population size, country, clinical setting and focus on single diseases, not overlap or multimorbidity. Clinical utility and implementation rely on improvements in development, validation and impact, facilitated by simple checklists. We provide clear steps prior to safe implementation of machine learning in clinical practice for cardiovascular diseases and other disease areas.

Prevalence of Depression in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) might adversely affect the health status of the patients, producing cognitive deterioration, with depression being the most common symptom. The aim of this study is to analyse the prevalence of depression in patients before and after coronary artery bypass surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out, involving a study of the past 10 years of the following databases: CINAHL, LILACS, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SciELO, Scopus, and Web of Science. The total sample comprised n = 16,501 patients. The total number of items was n = 65, with n = 29 included in the meta-analysis. Based on the different measurement tools used, the prevalence of depression pre-CABG ranges from 19-37%, and post-CABG from 15-33%. There is a considerable presence of depression in this type of patient, but this varies according to the measurement tool used and the quality of the study. Systematically detecting depression prior to cardiac surgery could identify patients at potential risk.

Characterizing Patient-Centered Postoperative Recovery After Adult Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review

Background

Improving postoperative recovery is important, with a national focus on postacute care, but the volume and quality of evidence in this area are not well characterized. We conducted a systematic review to characterize studies on postoperative recovery after adult cardiac surgery using patient‐reported outcome measures.

Methods and Results

From MEDLINE and Web of Science, studies were included if they prospectively assessed postoperative recovery on adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery using patient‐reported outcome measures. Six recovery domains were defined by prior literature: nociceptive symptoms, mental health, physical function, activities of daily living, sleep, and cognitive function. Of the 3432 studies, 105 articles met the inclusion criteria. The studies were small (median sample size, 119), and mostly conducted in single‐center settings (n=81; 77%). Study participants were predominantly men (71%) and white (88%). Coronary artery bypass graft was included in 93% (n=98). Studies commonly selected for elective cases (n=56; 53%) and patients with less comorbidity (n=67; 64%). Median follow‐up duration was 91 (interquartile range, 42–182) days. Studies most commonly assessed 1 domain (n=42; 40%). The studies also varied in the instruments used and differed in their reporting approach. Studies commonly excluded patients who died during the follow‐up period (n=48; 46%), and 45% (n=47) did not specify how those patients were analyzed.

Conclusions

Studies of postoperative patient‐reported outcome measures are low in volume, most often single site without external validation, varied in their approach to missing data, and narrow in the domains and diversity of patients. The evidence base for postoperative patient‐reported outcome measures needs to be strengthened.

Acute Coronary Syndrome Symptom Clusters: Illustration of Results Using Multiple Statistical Methods

Researchers have employed various methods to identify symptom clusters in cardiovascular conditions, without identifying rationale. Here, we test clustering techniques and outcomes using a data set from patients with acute coronary syndrome. A total of 474 patients who presented to emergency departments in five United States regions were enrolled. Symptoms were assessed within 15 min of presentation using the validated 13-item ACS Symptom Checklist. Three variable-centered approaches resulted in four-factor solutions. Two of three person-centered approaches resulted in three-cluster solutions. K-means cluster analysis revealed a six-cluster solution but was reduced to three clusters following cluster plot analysis. The number of symptoms and patient characteristics varied within clusters. Based on our findings, we recommend using (a) a variable-centered approach if the research is exploratory, (b) a confirmatory factor analysis if there is a hypothesis about symptom clusters, and (c) a person-centered approach if the aim is to cluster symptoms by individual groups.

The Effects of Deep-Breathing Exercises on Postoperative Sleep Duration and Quality in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG): a Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: Disordered sleep occurs frequently in patients who have undergone coronary bypass graft surgery, and it contributes to increased morbidity, mortality, and resource utilization. The present study aimed to determine the effects of deep-breathing exercises on postoperative sleep duration and quality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft.

Methods: This study was a clinical trial. The study sample included 64 patients who were coronary artery bypass graft hospitalized from January 2015 to April 2015 in Qazvin Booali-Sina hospital. The patients were selected by convenient sampling and then the participants were randomly allocated to the intervention and control groups. The baseline and postoperative (day 7) sleep duration and quality metrics were measured. The St Mary's Hospital Sleep Questionnaire was used to evaluate sleep quality in two groups.

Results: Baseline night sleep duration was 5.72 (1.63) hours in the control group and 5.58 (1.07) hours in the intervention group. The initial findings showed that the mean of sleep quality score of patients in the intervention and control groups were 19.72 (2.68) and 18.22 (3.81) respectively. These measurements did not decline postoperatively in the intervention group while night sleep duration and quality declined in the control group. Deep breathing exercise program had a significant effect on sleep quality score in the intervention group compared to the control group.

Conclusion: The results indicated that deep breathing exercises prevent decline in sleep quality postoperatively. It seems to be a safe method with no side effects for these patients. Furthermore, it is a simple method to implement and does not impose a high cost.

An integrative review of the theory of unpleasant symptoms

AIMS

The aim of this study was to explore how the theory of unpleasant symptoms (TOUS) has been used in the methodological design and analysis of symptom research.

DESIGN

An integrative review, using Whittemore and Knafl's approach.

DATA SOURCES

Searches were conducted between 26 January-10 February 2018. Databases included CINAHL Complete, PubMed, Proquest Nursing and Allied Health Source, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, Academic Search Complete and Google Scholar.

REVIEW METHODS

A systematic approach to searching, screening and analysing the literature was applied. The matrix method, content analysis, constant comparison, counting and clustering were used.

RESULTS

Sixty-four records were included. Most studies were quantitative, cross-sectional, instrument-based and conducted in the USA. Various symptoms and patient populations were represented and each of the TOUS concepts were explored.

CONCLUSION

Although the theory has a role to play in furthering symptom science, attention should be paid to the areas of the model and of symptom research that have received less attention. More complex statistical approaches and big data will help to illuminate symptom experiences. Additional focus on intervention studies and all symptom dimensions will help to advance symptom science research.

IMPACT

This review is the first to provide a comprehensive, systematic summary of the uses of the TOUS across the research literature to date. This theory is a diverse, holistic middle-range theory capable of being applied to multiple symptoms and populations. Researchers should consider using the theory as a conceptual framework for studies to advance symptom science and explore symptoms holistically.

An Analysis and Evaluation of the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms

The Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms was developed to enhance understanding of relationships among multiple symptoms and symptom experiences. Although the theory has been used to guide research, no formal critique of the theory has been published since 2000. This article comprehensively analyzes and evaluates the theory using Fawcett and DeSanto-Madeya's framework. Although its semantic clarity, semantic and structural consistency, and parsimony could be improved, the theory demonstrates good social and theoretical significance, testability, and empirical and pragmatic adequacy. Understanding multiple patient symptoms is essential, and the theory demonstrates that nurses should focus on multiple rather than individual symptoms.

Perceptions of exercise and quality of life in older patients in the United States during the first year following coronary artery bypass surgery

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It is important for patients recovering from coronary artery bypass (CAB) surgery to initiate and maintain recommended exercise guidelines. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe factors that influence adherence to exercise, and perceptions of activity limitations and health-related quality of life (QoL) in older patients recovering from CAB surgery.

SUBJECTS

Participants were 28 people aged 65 and older, prospectively recruited from a U.S. hospital following CAB surgery.

PROCEDURES

A qualitative description methodology was used to identify factors that influenced participants' feelings about exercise and QoL. Data were collected using phone interviews 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Data were coded by identifying significant statements, grouping them into meaningful units or "themes", and generating descriptions of participants' experiences and understandings.

RESULTS

Across time points, participants' most commonly described motivators were that it feels good to exercise, and belief that it improves physical health. The most commonly cited barriers to exercise were other time commitments, inclement weather, and pain/injury/illness related or unrelated to CAB surgery.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Motivating themes remained consistent across the time intervals but the number of responses regarding barriers to exercise increased over time. A better understanding of the patient experience may help to promote exercise initiation and adherence following CAB surgery.