Influence of Health Literacy on HRQoL in Patients After PCI

Patients' knowledge of the indications for their medications - a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Inadequate medication knowledge may contribute to inappropriate medication use and treatment harms. We aimed to map and synthesise the existing evidence on patients' knowledge of the indications for their medications.

METHOD

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsychInfo and the Cochrane Library for studies that assessed patients' knowledge of the indications for their medications from inception to June 16, 2022. A pair of reviewers independently screened and extracted data on study characteristics, aims, and methods used to assess and report patients' knowledge of the indications for their medications.

RESULTS

We included 99 studies conducted in 33 countries, published between 1979 and 2021, with 42,377 participants in total (median 126 participants [Interquartile range: 63-338]). Studies were observational (n = 77), experimental (n = 18), or qualitative interviews (n = 4). The exact question used to assess knowledge of the indications was reported in 27 studies and was phrased in 25 different ways. Knowledge of the indications was reported as a proportion of either 1) all participants (n = 65) or 2) the total number of medications used by all patients (n = 13). Sixteen studies used both reporting methods, while five only reported a proportion without specifying the denominator. Fourteen studies in various populations reported the number of participants with correct knowledge of all their medications, ranging from 19% (long-term psychiatric in-patients) to 87% (general practice patients).

CONCLUSION

We did not identify any established scientific standard for assessing patients' knowledge of the indications for their medications. The wide range of study methodologies and reporting styles observed call for a methodological consensus in this research field. Estimates of correct knowledge varied widely between studies, but whether this was due to differences in study populations or study methodology could not be determined. Furthermore, we did not identify any study investigating whether participants' knowledge of the indications for their medications was associated with the quality, e.g. appropriateness, of their treatment.

Relationship between diabetes health literacy, distress, burnout, social support, complications, self-care behaviors, and quality of life among patients with type 2 diabetes: a path analysis study

INTRODUCTION

Improving the quality of life (QOL) is the most important goal of early diagnosis and treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Numerous studies have indicated the positive effects of health literacy, social support and self-care behaviors and the negative effects of diabetes distress and burnout on the QOL of patients with T2D. Understanding these factors is crucial for people with diabetes. However, no study has investigated the simultaneous effects of these variables on QOL. In this study, our goals were to find out how these variables are related to each other, in addition, which variables play the role of mediating variables, and finally, what is the cumulative effect of these variables in predicting the QOL of patients with T2D. So, this study aimed to examine the relationship between diabetes health literacy (DHL), distress, burnout, social support, complications of diabetes, self-care behaviors, and QOL among patients with T2D by application Path analysis method.

METHODS

In this study 929 participants were entered to study by cluster sampling method and finally, data were analyzed among 820 participants. Data were gathered by self-report and with seven tools of Demographic section, DHL Scale, Diabetes distress scale, Diabetes Burnout scale, Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ), Perceived social support, Diabetes Quality of Life (DQOL) Questionnaire. The software's of SPSS version 24 and AMOS version 24 were used for analysis.

RESULTS

The variables of DHL, social support, diabetes distress, and complications of diabetes predicted 38% variance in diabetes burnout (R2 = 0.38). Greatest impact on diabetes burnout was related to diabetes distress (estimate total effect = 0.539). The variables of DHL, social support, diabetes distress, complications of diabetes, and diabetes burnout predicted 24% variance in self- care behaviors (R2 = 0.24). Greatest impact on self- care behaviors was related to DHL (estimate total effect = 0.354). The variables of DHL, social support, diabetes distress, diabetes burnout, complications of diabetes, and self- care behaviors predicted 49% variance in DQOL (R2 = 0.49). Greatest impact on DQOL was related to variables of diabetes distress (estimate total effect = -0.613), DHL (estimate total effect = 0.225), diabetes burnout (estimate total effect = -0.202), complications of diabetes (estimate total effect = - 0.173), social support (estimate total effect = 0.149), and self -care (estimate total effect = 0.149), respectively.

CONCLUSION

To improve QOL in patients with T2D, health care providers must develop interventions that increase DHL of diabetic. Because DHL can decrease distress and burnout, enhance self -care skills, create supportive networks, and ultimately improve QOL in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Effects of empowerment education on patients after percutaneous coronary intervention: A meta-analysis and systematic review

BACKGROUND

Empowerment education is a new nursing education model with great significance in the process of chronic disease rehabilitation, and a number of studies have found that it has good benefits for patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). But there is no meta-analysis on how empowerment education influence the life of patients after PCI.

AIMS

Our study intends to evaluate the impact of empowerment education on the quality of life, cognitive level, anxiety and depression level of patients after PCI.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis, following PRISMA guidelines.

METHODS

RevMan5.4 software and R software were used for statistical analysis. Mean difference or standard mean difference was used as effect analysis statistic for continuous variables with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Six studies met the inclusion criteria, including 641 patients. The Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group, with statistically significant difference. Empowerment education could increase the knowledge of coronary heart disease in patients after PCI, but the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Significant effects of empowerment have been found in improving patients' quality of life and self-care ability. Empowerment education could be a safe exercise option in PCI rehabilitation. However, the effect of empowerment on cognitive level for coronary heart disease and the depression needs to carry out more large-sample, multi-center clinical trials.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

A data-analysis researcher and 3 clinicians are responsible for the writing, and no patients participated in the writing of this paper.

The evaluation of the role of diabetes health literacy and health locus of control on quality of life among type 2 diabetes using the Path analysis

Quality of life (QOL) in patients with diabetes is affected by multiple factors, and this study aimed to determine the effect of health locus of control points (HLOC) and diabetes health literacy (DHL) on QOL in Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes. This cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2021 and February 2022 among 564 people with type 2 diabetes. Patients were selected using proportional stratified sampling and simple random sampling methods. Data were collected using three questionnaires: (1) Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale (form C), (2) World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale, and (3) Diabetes Health Literacy Scale. Data were analyzed by software's of SPSS _V22 and AMOS _V24. There was a positive and significant correlation between DHL and QOL. There was a positive and significant correlation between the subscales of internal HLOC, and doctors HLOC with QOL. According to the Path analysis results, all variables showed 58.93% of the direct effects and 41.07% of indirect effects of the final model. Numerate health literacy, informational health literacy, communicative health literacy, internal HLOC, other powerful people HLOC, chance HLOC, and doctors HLOC were able to predicted 49% variance of diabetes QOL (R2 = 0.49). The subscales of communicative health literacy, informational health literacy, internal HLOC, doctors HLOC, and chance HLOC had the greatest impact on QOL of people with diabetes. Based on the results of Path analysis, diabetes health literacy and HLOC play an effective role in QOL of diabetic. Therefore, there is a need to design and implement programs to improve the health literacy of patients as well as HLOC to improve QOL of patients.

A structural equation model linking health literacy, self efficacy and quality of life in adults with coronary heart disease

Background

Cardiovascular disease is the world major cause of death. There is sufficient evidence that patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) experience poor quality of life. Health literacy and self efficacy are modifiable psychosocial factors that could affect quality of life, and these factors should be considered as targets for intervention. As the relationships among health literacy, self efficacy, and quality of life in the CHD population have not been well understood. Thus, we constructed the structure equation model in these valuables.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of a convenience sample among 200 patients with CHD were participated from outpatient clinics in three tertiary general hospitals in Baoding City in mainland China, from December 2018 to June 2019. Data regarding demographic features, health literacy, self efficacy and quality of life were assessed. A structure equation model was used to construct and validate the pathways.

Results

The mean age of the study sampled patients was 65.37 years old. The average level of health literacy, self efficacy and quality of life were 9.6 ± 3.5, 28.8 ± 13.9 and 381.8 ± 130.1 respectively. Significant associations were observed from health literacy to quality of life, and self efficacy played a partial mediating role between health literacy and quality of life in the CHD population. Health literacy and self efficacy explained for 59.6% of the variance in quality of life.

Conclusions

Health literacy had a direct influence on quality of life, and an indirect influence on quality of life via self efficacy in the patients with CHD.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-022-02720-8.

Health literacy and quality of life among Iranian pregnant women: The mediating role of health locus of control

Background: Main health challenge of the 21st century is improving quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of health locus of control (HLC) between health literacy and QoL among Iranian pregnant women. Methods: In this cross sectional survey, 400 pregnant women referred to the community health centers of Gonabad, Iran, and completed the demographic, health literacy, QoL, and multidimensional HLC questionnaires during 2015-2016. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling were conducted using SPSS 22.0 version and AMOS 24.0 software. Results: The findings showed that health literacy has a significant positive effect on the physical (β= 0.54, p< 0.001) and mental (β= 0.57, p< 0.001) health. Also, it has a significant positive effect on internal subscale (β= 0.42, p< 0.001) and a significant negative effect on the chance (β= -0.51, p< 0.001) and powerful others (β= -0.33, p< 0.001) subscale of HLC. From HLC subscales, internal HLC had a significant positive effect on physical (β= 0.26, p< 0.001) and mental (β= 0.12, p= 0.010) health, while the effects of chance and powerful others on QoL dimensions were not significant. The findings indicated that internal HLC is a partial mediator between health literacy and physical dimension of QoL. Conclusion: The results indicate that health literacy can be considered as an effective factor in HLC orientations and can improve QoL. This reflects the need for more attention on health literacy and the recognition of the type of HLC beliefs, especially the internal belief in health promotion programs for pregnant women.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults: Its Association with Health Literacy, Self-Efficacy, Social Support, and Health-Promoting Behavior

This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationships among sociodemographics, health literacy, self-efficacy, social support, health-promoting behavior, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older adults. A total of 240 older adults aged >65 years were recruited from three community senior welfare centers in South Korea. Standardized self-administered questionnaires measuring sociodemographic characteristics, health literacy, social support, self-efficacy, health-promoting behavior, and health-related quality of life were distributed to older adults. Multiple regression analyses with stepwise selection was used to determine the factors affecting health-related quality of life. Factors affecting a higher physical component score of HRQOL were a higher comprehension level of and numeracy in health literacy, physical health-promoting behavior, perceived emotional-informational support, and a lesser number of comorbidities. Factors affecting a higher mental component score of HRQOL were a higher comprehension level of and numeracy in health literacy, self-efficacy, physical health-promoting behavior, perceived emotional-informational support, and a lesser number of comorbidities. To improve HRQOL among older adults, nursing interventions are required to measure health literacy, empower physical health-promoting behavior and self-efficacy, and enhance emotional-informational support from family or other resources.

Relationship between patient's health literacy and adherence to coronary heart disease secondary prevention measures

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To examine the relationship between health literacy (HL) and adherence to secondary coronary heart disease (CHD) prevention behaviours in patients in China.

BACKGROUND

Adherence of patients to secondary CHD prevention behaviours is important in order to slow or reverse disease progression. The relationship between HL and adherence is varied across populations and warrants further research in order to inform nurses caring for such patients how to direct their teaching.

DESIGN

A descriptive cross-sectional design.

METHODS

A total of 598 patients with CHD were recruited during hospitalisation for a myocardial revascularization procedure at either of two tertiary hospitals in China. Data were collected by self-report on demographics, HL and adherence to secondary CHD prevention behaviours (medication-taking and heart-healthy lifestyle) prior to this admission. HL was measured by the short version of European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16), while adherence was measured with the Medical Outcomes Study Specific Adherence Scale (MOS-SAS). Descriptive, chi-square test and regression analyses were conducted. The study was reported based on STROBE checklist.

RESULTS

Overall, 74.5% of the patients had limited HL. Adherence rates to medication-taking and heart-healthy lifestyle were 84.7% and 53.2%, respectively. HL was not significantly associated with medication adherence, but in regression models patients with limited HL demonstrated significantly increased odds for nonadherence to heart-healthy lifestyle (OR 1.69).

CONCLUSION

HL was not significantly associated with medication adherence but was related to heart-healthy lifestyle adherence.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Nurses should assess the health literacy of discharging patients with CHD and focus on patients with limited health literacy to improve heart-healthy lifestyle behaviours, and not just taking medications.

Health literacy and knowledge related to tuberculosis among outpatients at a referral hospital in Lima, Peru

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) case detection in Peru relies on passive case finding. This strategy relies on the assumption that the community is aware that a persistent cough or contact with a TB patient is an indication to seek formal health care. This study evaluated health literacy and TB knowledge among outpatients at Hospital Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was performed between June and August 2017. Data on sociodemographic factors, TB knowledge, and health literacy were collected, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to study the associations between variables.

RESULTS

The analysis included 272 participants; 57.7% knew someone who had TB and 9% had TB in the past. A 2-week cough was reported as a TB symptom by 66 (24%) participants. High TB knowledge was found among 149 (54.8%) participants and high health literacy was found among 193 (71.0%) participants. Health literacy and TB knowledge were not significantly associated (OR=0.9; 95% CI 0.5-1.5). After controlling for sex, age, district, education, health insurance, frequency of hospital visits, and previous TB diagnosis, high TB knowledge was associated with knowing someone with TB (aOR=2.7; 95% CI 1.6-4.7) and inversely associated with being a public transport driver (aOR=0.2; 95% CI 0.05-0.9). Not living in poverty was the single factor associated with high health literacy (aOR=3.8; 95% CI 1.6-8.9).

CONCLUSION

Although TB knowledge was fair, 30% did not know that cough is a symptom of TB and >70% did not know being in contact with a TB patient is a risk factor for TB. Tailoring educational strategies to at-risk groups may enhance passive case detection especially among transport workers and TB contacts in Lima, Peru.

Health Literacy but Not Frailty Predict Self-Care Behaviors in Patients with Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic condition requiring continuous self-care. Health literacy is increasingly recognized as a key factor of self-care behaviors in patients with chronic diseases. Recently, frailty in chronic diseases has also been associated with self-care behaviors. However, relationships among health literacy, frailty, and self-care in the HF population are not well understood. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to identify the impact of health literacy and frailty on self-care behaviors in patients with HF. Data were collected from 281 adults attending a cardiovascular outpatient clinic in Korea. Health literacy, frailty, and self-care behaviors were measured using Korean-validated instruments. The mean scores of health literacy and self-care behaviors were 8.89 (±3.44) and 31.49 (±5.38), respectively. The prevalence of frailty was around 26.3%. Health literacy was significantly associated with frailty and self-care behaviors. In a hierarchical linear regression analysis, health literacy was a significant determinant of self-care behaviors after adjusting for confounding variables, but frailty was not. Educational level was also a significant predictor of self-care behaviors. Our main findings showed that health literacy can facilitate improvements in HF self-care behaviors. Healthcare professionals should assess patients’ health literacy and educational backgrounds when designing self-management programs.

The relationship between health literacy and quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Low health literacy often has an association with poor health outcomes such as low levels of self-efficacy, increased mortality, poor health status and reduced quality of life (QOL). The aim of the study was to quantitatively evaluate the relationship between health literacy (HL) and QOL based on a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, Cochrane Library, and Chinese electronic databases such as CNKI, and Wanfang were searched from 1970 until February 1, 2018. The pooled correlation coefficient (PCOR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) between HL and QOL were estimated using R software. Potential sources of heterogeneity were explored using subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression.

Results

Twenty-three studies, with a total of 12,303 subjects,were included. The PCOR between HL and QOL was 0.35 (95%CI: 0.25–0.44). Considering different dimensions of HL, the PCOR between QOL and health knowledge, health behavior, health belief, and health skill were 0.36 (95% CI: 0.04–0.61), 0.36 (95%CI: 0.13–0.55), 0.39 (95%CI: 0.10–0.62), and 0.42 (95%CI: 0.03–0.69), respectively. The PCOR between HL and the two dimensions of QOL was lower than the total PCOR between HL and QOL. In subgroup analysis, the PCOR between HL and QOL was 0.46 (95%CI: 0.13, 0.69) among community residents, 0.45 (95%CI: 0.27, 0.61) in China, and 0.45 (95%CI: 0.24, 0.62) based on cohort studies. Sensitivity analyses showed that the stability of results had no significant after excluding the study (p < 0.001). Meta-regression showed that cohort study design, studies conducted in China, and publication before 2012 may be important influencing factors.

Conclusions

Health literacy was moderately correlated with quality of life, but this finding needs to be supported by more evidence.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12955-018-1031-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Health literacy and coronary artery disease: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Identify health literacy (HL) screening instruments available to CAD patients; describe the prevalence of low HL; explore the predictors of low HL; and, identify the association between HL, health behaviors, and outcomes among these patients.

METHODS

A literature search of electronic databases was conducted for published articles from database inception to February 2017. Eligible articles included the assessment of HL in CAD patients. Health behaviors and outcomes included diet, exercise, smoking, medication use, hospital readmission, knowledge, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and psychosocial indicators.

RESULTS

Overall, ten articles were included, of which two were RCTs, and seven were considered "good" quality. The most used screening instruments were REALM and TOFHLA. The average prevalence of low HL was 30.5%. Low HL participants were more likely to be older, male, from a non-white ethnic group, have many CVD comorbidities, lower educational level, disadvantaged socioeconomic position, and less likely to be employed. Low HL was consistently associated with hospital readmissions, low HRQoL, higher anxiety and lower social support.

CONCLUSION

The literature on HL in CAD patients is very limited.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Healthcare providers should start adopting strategies that can potentially mitigate the impact of low HL in the care of CAD patients.

Effect of health literacy on the quality of life of older patients with long-term conditions: a large cohort study in UK general practice

Purpose

The levels of health literacy in patients with long-term conditions (LTCs) are critical for better disease management and quality of life (QoL). However, the impact of health literacy on QoL in older adults with LTCs is unclear. This study examined the association between health literacy and domains of QoL in older people with LTCs, investigating key socio-demographic and clinical variables, as confounders.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted on older adults (n = 4278; aged 65 years and over) with at least one LTC, registered in general practices in Salford, UK. Participants completed measures of health literacy, QoL, multi-morbidity, depression, social support, and socio-demographic characteristics. Multivariate linear regressions were performed to examine the effects of health literacy on four QoL domains at baseline, and then changes in QoL over 12 months.

Results

At baseline, poor health literacy was associated with lower scores in all four QoL domains (physical, psychological, social relationships and environment), after adjusting for the effects of multi-morbidity, depression, social support and socio-demographic factors. At 12-month follow-up, low health literacy significantly predicted declines in the physical, psychological and environment domains of QoL, but not in social relationships QoL.

Conclusions

This is the largest, most complete assessment of the effects of health literacy on QoL in older adults with LTCs. Low health literacy is an independent indicator of poor QoL older patients with LTCs. Interventions to improve health literacy in older people with LTCs are encouraged by these findings.

The effect of health literacy and self-management efficacy on the health-related quality of life of hypertensive patients in a western rural area of China: a cross-sectional study

Background

Hypertension is a common and frequently occurring chronic disease of the cardiovascular system. Besides the pathological factors, the occurrence and exacerbation of hypertension are also associated with many factors of lifestyle and behaviors. Thus hypertensive patients’ Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is not only influenced by the disease itself but also by many subjective factors such as health literacy and self-management efficacy, especially in the deeper part of southwestern China and thus is less developed compared to the other places. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the HRQL of hypertensive patients and health literacy and self-management efficacy as well as how they affect the HRQL, so as to provide a theoretical reference for improving the HRQL of patients with hypertension in less developed areas.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of baseline data from a clustered randomized controlled trial. The study design had passed a cross-national peer review and accepted grants by the China Medical Board. It was also registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-OOR-14005563).

A standardized questionnaire adapted from a previous validated WHO questionnaire was used for the survey which included detailed questions about patient’s socio-demographic characteristics and self-reported information.

Patients’ HRQL was measured by the Mandarin version of the 36-item Short Form. We used the validated Mandarin version of the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease 6-Item Scale to assess patients’ self-management efficacy. The validated three-item Brief Health Literacy Screening (BHLS) was used to measure the patients’ health literacy.

A structural equation model was constructed, and p ≤ 0.05 was taken as significant.

Results

Demographic characteristics, health literacy and self-management efficacy have all significant effects on HRQL. Age, education level, self-management efficacy and health literacy were significantly related to the HRQL. The constructed model had a good fit for the data according to the model fit indices. Based on the model, health literacy (r = 0.604, p = 0.029) and Self-management efficacy (r = 0.714, p = 0.018) have a significant impact on HRQL. Demographic characteristics were inversely related to HRQL (r = −0.419, p = 0.007), but have a significant impact on health literacy (r = 0.675, p = 0.029) and self-management efficacy (r = 0.379, p = 0.029). At the same time, self-management efficacy was positively correlated to health literacy (r = 0.413, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Age, education level, self-management efficacy and health literacy were all related to the HRQL of patient with hypertension, which means that patients who are more elderly and have lower education level, low self-management efficacy and poor health literacy get worse HRQL. This may imply the necessary to introduce routine assessment of health literacy and self-management efficacy into assessment procedures for hypertensive patients’ health management. Such assessment can help professionals to identify the population at greatest risk for poor health outcomes and low well-being in the future. In clinical practice, effective interventions such as direct guidance and education to raise the self-management efficacy and enhance health literacy might improve the HRQL of patients with hypertension.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-OOR-14005563).

Name of registry: Effects of the integrated delivery system and payment system of community-based intervention on rural patients of chronic diseases in Qianjiang District, China

Date of registration: Retrospectively registered 23 November 2014.

Date of enrolment of the first participant to the trial: 5 July 2012