Quality of life, social support and cognitive impairment in heart failure patients without diagnosed dementia

Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life among Patients with Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is characterized by a progressive clinical course marked by frequent exacerbations and repeated hospitalizations, leading to considerably high morbidity and mortality rates. Patients with HF present with a constellation of bothersome symptoms, which range from physical to psychological and mental manifestations. With the transition to more advanced HF stages, symptoms become increasingly more debilitating, interfere with activities of daily living and disrupt multiple domains of life, including physical functioning, psychological status, emotional state, cognitive function, intimate relationships, lifestyle status, usual role activities, social contact and support. By inflicting profuse limitations in numerous aspects of life, HF exerts a profoundly negative impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). It is therefore not surprising that patients with HF display lower levels of HRQOL compared not only to the general healthy population but also to patients suffering from other chronic diseases. On top of this, poor HRQOL in patients with HF becomes an even greater concern considering that it has been associated with unfavorable long-term outcomes and poor prognosis. Nevertheless, HRQOL may differ significantly among patients with HF. Indeed, it has consistently been reported that women with HF display poorer HRQOL compared to men, while younger patients with HF tend to exhibit lower levels of HRQOL than their older counterparts. Moreover, patients presenting with higher New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class (III-IV) have significantly more impaired HRQOL than those in a better NYHA class (I-II). Furthermore, most studies report worse levels of HRQOL in patients suffering from HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) compared to patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) or HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF). Last, but not least, differences in HRQOL have been noted depending on geographic location, with lower HRQOL levels having been recorded in Africa and Eastern Europe and higher in Western Europe in a recent large global study. Based on the observed disparities that have been invariably reported in the literature, this review article aims to provide insight into the underlying differences in HRQOL among patients with HF. Through an overview of currently existing evidence, fundamental differences in HRQOL among patients with HF are analyzed based on sex, age, NYHA functional class, ejection fraction and geographic location or ethnicity.

Mediating effects of general self-efficacy on social support and quality of life in patients after surgical aortic valve replacement

AIM

To explore whether general self-efficacy can mediate the relationship between social support and quality of life in patients after surgical aortic valve replacement.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional design.

METHODS

The final analysis included 283 patients who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement from May 2021 to September 2021. They completed a set of questionnaires, including the Chinese version of the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Chinese Questionnaire of Quality of life in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases and the Social Support Rating Scale. The PROCESS Macro in SPSS was used to analyse the mediating effect.

RESULTS

Quality of life and all of its dimensions were significantly related to social support and general self-efficacy. A significant indirect effect of social support existed through general self-efficacy in relation to quality of life with the mediation effect ratio of 32.82%.

Predictors and outcomes of quality of life in elderly patients with heart failure

Study objective

This study aims to identify predictors of health related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with heart failure (HF) and assess whether HRQoL was a predictor of rehospitalisation and mortality, and if age influenced the findings.

Design

Observational cohort study.

Setting

Seven hospitals in the Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia.

Participants

Community dwelling patients who completed a Minnesota Living with HF questionnaire (MLHFQ) within 30 days of discharge after a HF hospitalisation.

Main outcome measure

Multivariable linear regression models were used to identify predictors of MLHFQ scores (higher score = worse HRQoL) and adjusted Cox regression models to assess the impact of MLHFQ scores on one-year rehospitalisation and mortality. Separate analyses were conducted for those aged ≤80 or >80 years.

Results

1911 patients of mean age 79 years (57 % aged >80 years) were included in this analysis. Among those aged ≤80 years; younger age, lower haemoglobin and presenting symptoms at hospitalisation of exertional dyspnoea, peripheral oedema and fatigue were predictors of worse post-discharge MLHFQ scores. In patients aged >80 years, living alone, chronic kidney disease, exertional dyspnoea and peripheral oedema were predictors of worse MLHFQ scores. Worse MLHFQ scores predicted one-year HF readmissions in those aged >80 years (HR 1.22, 95 % CI 1.07-1.37) but not those aged ≤80 years (HR 0.90 95 % CI 0.71-1.10).

Conclusions

In-hospital predictors can be identified for worse HRQoL post-discharge for HF. These vary according to age, and should be addressed prior to discharge.

Does social isolation, social support or loneliness influence health or well-being after a cardiovascular disease event? A narrative thematic systematic review

Identification of factors which influence health after a cardiovascular disease (CVD) event will assist with reducing the high health and economic burden of CVD. We undertook a systematic review to investigate the association between social health (lower social isolation, higher social support and lower loneliness) and health and well-being after a CVD event among people living in Australia and New Zealand. Four electronic databases were systematically searched until June 2020. Two reviewers undertook title/abstract screen. One reviewer undertook full-text screen and data extraction. A second author either independently extracted or checked data. Narrative thematic analysis was undertaken. Of the 752 unique records retrieved, 39 papers from 29 studies met our inclusion criteria. Included studies recruited between 10 and 1,455 participants, aged 12-96 years, and the majority were male. Greater social health was consistently associated with better mental health outcomes (lower depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and psychological distress). Lower social isolation and higher social support were associated with the extent to which patient needs were being met. Living situation was not associated with mental health outcomes, and being married or living with someone was associated with greater medication adherence. Our systematic review demonstrates that greater social health is associated with better mental health outcomes and met patient needs among cardiac patients. As partner status and living status did not align with social isolation and social support findings in this review, we recommend they not be used as social health proxies when assessing health outcomes among CVD patients. Our review highlights the need for more research focused on women and the importance of gender-disaggregated reporting. Further assessment is required to evaluate whether loneliness is associated with health and well-being outcomes after a CVD event.

Prediction of Heart Failure Symptoms and Health-Related Quality of Life at 12 Months From Baseline Modifiable Factors in Patients With Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

In patients with heart failure (HF), good health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is as valuable as, or more valuable than, longer survival. However, HRQOL is remarkably poor, and HF symptoms are strongly associated with poor HRQOL. Yet, the multidimensional, modifiable predictors have been rarely examined.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the baseline psychosocial, behavioral, and physical predictors of HF symptoms and HRQOL at 12 months and the mediator effect of HF symptoms in the relationship between depressive symptoms and HRQOL.

METHODS

We collected data from 94 patients with HF (mean ± SD age, 58 ± 14 years). Data included sample characteristics, depressive symptoms, perceived control, social support, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, medication adherence, sodium intake, self-care management, and HF symptoms at baseline, as well as HF symptoms and HRQOL at 12 months. Multiple regression analyses were performed to address the purpose.

RESULTS

Baseline depressive symptoms (P < .001), medication adherence (P = .010), sodium intake (P = .032), and NYHA functional class (P = .040) significantly predicted 12-month HF symptoms, controlling for covariates (F = 7.363, R = 47%, P < .001). Baseline medication adherence (P = .001), NYHA functional class (P < .001), and HF symptoms (P = .013) significantly predicted 12-month HRQOL (F = 10.701, R = 59%, P < .001). Baseline HF symptoms fully mediated the relationship between baseline depressive symptoms and 12-month HRQOL.

CONCLUSION

Symptoms of HF and HRQOL could be improved by targeting multidimensional, modifiable predictors, such as self-care, depressive symptoms, and NYHA functional class.

Relación entre la capacidad de agencia de autocuidado y la calidad de vida en personas con insuficiencia cardiaca

Introducción. La persona con insuficiencia cardiaca enfrenta cambios biopsicosociales que deterioran su calidad de vida. Es necesario conocer la relación existente entre el autocuidado y la calidad de vida, lo que puede orientar al profesional de enfermería en el diseño de intervenciones efectivas. Objetivo. Determinar la relación existente entre la capacidad de agencia de autocuidado y la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en las personas con insuficiencia cardiaca, que son atendidas en el programa multidisciplinario de insuficiencia cardiaca en una institución de salud de cuarto nivel en Bogotá, Colombia. Método. Estudio descriptivo correlacional de corte transversal, realizado entre mayo y agosto de 2018; utilizando los instrumentos Appraisal of Self-care Agency Scale y el Cuestionario de Cardiomiopatía de Kansas City; la muestra correspondió a 107 pacientes, mayores de edad, con insuficiencia cardiaca estadio C y D. Resultados. La capacidad de agencia de autocuidado se encontró en categorías alta con 63.55% y muy alta con 34.57%; la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud se encontró preservada, con un puntaje general de 73.33; la relación existente entre las dos variables, según el coeficiente de correlación de Spearman, fue 0.316 con un valor p = 0.002, relación débil pero significativa. Conclusiones. Existe una relación entre las variables de interés, que se reafirma con las correlaciones significativas identificadas entre las dimensiones que las conforman. Estos hallazgos resaltan la pertinencia de abordar, en las intervenciones, temáticas que fortalezcan la capacidad de agencia de autocuidado, contribuyendo a mejorar la calidad de vida de estas personas.

Factores deteriorantes de la calidad de vida en insuficiencia cardiaca: revisión integrativa

La insuficiencia cardiaca es una enfermedad que aumenta la morbimortalidad, deteriora la calidad de vida de la persona que la padece e impacta negativamente en el sistema de salud. El propósito de esta revisión es explorar la literatura para determinar qué condiciones biopsicosociales del individuo pueden ser factores deteriorantes de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en esta población. Se realizó una revisión integrativa a partir de artículos publicados entre el 2014 y el 2018, en idioma español e inglés, los cuales se obtuvieron de la revisión de las bases de datos Ovid, Scopus, Scielo, Science direct, Redalyc, Lilacs, Dialnet y Pubmed, utilizando los descriptores de consulta Mesh: quality of life and heart failure. Se incluyeron en la revisión 24 artículos, en los cuales se identificaron 24 factores deteriorantes que fueron clasificados en las dimensiones biopsicosociales del individuo. Determinar la presencia de estos factores permite al profesional de salud obtener elementos claves para el establecimiento de un plan de atención individualizado que genere un impacto positivo en la condición de salud y en la calidad de vida de la persona. Esto exige un mayor desarrollo investigativo que permita conocer este fenómeno en el contexto colombiano y latinoamericano.

The Contribution of Living Arrangements, Social Support, and Self-efficacy to Self-management Behaviors Among Individuals With Heart Failure: A Path Analysis

BACKGROUND

Living arrangements, social support, and self-efficacy have significant implications for self-management science. Despite the theoretical linkages among the 3 concepts, there is limited empirical evidence about their interplay and the subsequent influence on heart failure (HF) self-management.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to validate components of the Individual and Family Self-management Theory among individuals with HF.

METHODS

This is a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data generated from a sample of 370 individuals with HF. A path analysis was conducted to examine the indirect and direct associations among social environment (living arrangements), social facilitation (social support) and belief (self-efficacy) processes, and self-management behaviors (HF self-care maintenance) while accounting for individual and condition-specific factors (age, sex, race, and HF disease severity).

RESULTS

Three contextual factors (living arrangements, age, and HF disease severity) had direct associations with perceived social support and self-efficacy, which in turn were positively associated with HF self-management behaviors. Living alone (β = -.164, P = .001) was associated with lower perceived social support, whereas being an older person (β = .145, P = .004) was associated with better support. Moderate to severe HF status (β = -.145, P = .004) or higher levels of perceived social support (β = .153, P = .003) were associated with self-efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support the Individual and Family Self-management Theory, highlighting the importance of social support and self-efficacy to foster self-management behaviors for individuals with HF. Future research is needed to further explore relationships among living arrangements, perceived and received social support, self-efficacy, and HF self-management.

Cognitive performance is associated with worse prognosis in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

AIMS

Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome with multiple comorbidities. Cognitive impairment, stress, anxiety, depression, and lower quality of life are prevalent in HF. Herein, we explore the interplay between these parameters and study their value to predict major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and health-related quality of life (HrQoL) in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction using guideline recommended assessment tools.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted a longitudinal study using a sample of 65 patients from two hospitals. A battery of tests was applied to assess cognition [Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)], stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10), anxiety, and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) at baseline. MACEs were registered using clinical records. HrQoL was estimated using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). A descriptive statistical analysis was conducted, and multiple linear and Cox regression models conducted to determine the predictive value of neurocognitive parameters and HrQoL in MACE. Both MoCA [hazard ratio = 0.906 (0.829-0.990); P = 0.029] and KCCQ scores were predictors of MACE, but not of overall mortality. Anxiety, depression, and stress scores did not predict MACE. However, anxiety (β = -0.326; P = 0.012) and depression levels (β = -0.309; P = 0.014) were independent predictors of the KCCQ score.

CONCLUSIONS

The MoCA score and HrQoL were predictors of MACE-free survival. Anxiety and depression were good predictors of HrQoL, but not of MACE-free survival.

Social housing enhances acquisition of task set independently of environmental enrichment: A longitudinal study in the Barnes maze

Human studies suggest that healthy social relationships benefit cognition, yet little is known about the underlying neural mechanisms of this protective effect. In rodents, studies on acute isolation and environmental enrichment (EE) confirm the importance of social exposure. Despite the widely recognized importance of sociality, however, rodent models have yet to explore the independent contributions of social housing divorced of other forms of enrichment. This study dissociates the effects of social and physical enrichment on spatial learning and memory from adulthood to old age. Rats were placed in either single or group housing, provided with ample enrichment, and tested at three time points on several phases/versions of the Barnes maze (BM) (standard, retention probes, variable location, and reversal). We found that sustained social housing enhanced cognitive flexibility, as evidenced by superior acquisition of task set (standard BM), adaptability to a new task set (variable BM), and improved reversal learning (reversal BM). Long-term retention (BM retention probes) of spatial memory was unaffected by housing conditions. Recent studies from our lab, including this report, are the first to show that social housing confers cognitive benefits beyond those of physical enrichment. Importantly, our experimental design is ideal for exploring the neural underpinnings of this socially induced cognitive protection. Understanding how sociality influences cognition will be invaluable to translational models of aging, neuropsychiatric disease, and neurological injury.

Psychosocial predictors of quality of life among chronic hemodialysis patients

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association of several psychosocial disorders with quality of life (QoL) among chronic hemodialysis patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 2018 and recruited chronic hemodialysis patients from 3 major hemodialysis centers in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Quality of life was assessed using a previously validated Arabic version of the dialysis version-III of the QoL index.

RESULTS

A total of 101 patients (56 males and 45 females) were included. The mean age was 54.0±12.3 years. The overall mean of QoL was 88.8/100 points (out of 100). The family (95.0%) and psychological/spiritual (94.7%) domains had the highest scores. The prevalence of psychosocial disorders was 24.8% for depressive symptoms, 15.8% for anxiety symptoms, 88.1% for cognitive impairment, 76.8% for insecure attachment style, and 38.6% for medium/high severity of somatic symptoms. All psychosocial disorders and higher cognition level were negatively correlated with QoL (Spearman correlation r ranged between -0.228- -0.468). After adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, anxiety symptoms and higher cognition level were independent predictors of poor QoL, while marital status (married) was an independent predictor of good QoL.

CONCLUSION

We report higher QoL and relatively better psychosocial profiles among current chronic hemodialysis patients than reported before. Psychosocial disorders specially anxiety can negatively impact QoL. Patients who were not cognitively impaired were more negatively affected in QOL. The findings re-emphasize the importance of the early detection and management of psychosocial disorders to improve QoL in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in Patients With Heart Failure

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Low social support is associated with worse outcomes in patients with heart failure. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS).

METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis of registry data from patients (n = 475) with confirmed heart failure.

RESULTS

The MSPSS demonstrated excellent internal consistency reliability. Factor analysis yielded 3 factors that explained 83% of the variance in perceived social support. More than half of the sample had depressive symptoms (56%). Hypothesis testing demonstrated that worse perceived social support was a predictor of depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The MSPSS is a reliable and valid instrument to measure perceived social support in patients with heart failure.

Relationships between received and perceived social support and health-related quality of life among patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment in Mainland China

BACKGROUND

Social support has been considered one of the most important factors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) evaluations among different populations; however, few studies have explored the relationships of both received and perceived social support to HRQoL among patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Thus, the purpose of this cross-sectional study was to clarify these relationships.

METHODS

Participants were patients admitted at the two largest privately and publicly funded MMT clinics in Xi'an. The main explanatory variable was social support, both received (i.e., social network support and professional support services) and perceived (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support). The outcome was HRQoL, which was evaluated using the Short-Form 36 Health Survey version 2 (SF-36v2) and the Quality of Life Scale for Drug Addicts (QOL-DAv2.0). We carried out independent samples t-tests and multiple linear regression analysis to examine the relationships between received and perceived social support and HRQoL.

RESULTS

The study findings revealed that patients with good social support had significantly higher scores on the SF-36v2 and QOL-DAv2.0 (p < 0.05). After controlling for individual characteristics, the significant factors predicting HRQoL were good family relationships, usually communicating with others, a convenient service time, appropriate treatment charges, and good perceived social support (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that received and perceived social support influences HRQoL among individuals receiving MMT. Thus, these variables should be considered during health management efforts and interventions directed at this patient population.