Health-related quality of life and anemia in hospitalized patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a serious and highly prevalent co-morbidity in chronic heart failure (HF) patients. Its influence on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) has rarely been studied, and no data is available regarding the role it plays in hospitalized HF patients. METHODS: Baseline data from the COACH study (Coordinating study evaluating Outcomes of Advising and Counselling in Heart Failure) were used. HR-QoL was assessed by means of generic and disease-specific questionnaires. Analyses were performed using ANOVA and ANCOVA, with covariates of age, gender, eGFR, diabetes, and NYHA class. RESULTS: In total, 1013 hospitalized patients with a mean age of 71 (SD 11) years were included; 70% of these patients had no anemia (n=712), 14% had mild anemia (n=141), and 16% had moderate-to-severe anemia (n=160). Independent associations were found between anemia and physical functioning (p=0.019), anemia and role limitations due to physical functioning (p=0.002), anemia and general health (p=0.024), and anemia and global well-being (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: In addition to the burden of HF itself, anemia is an important factor which influences HR-QoL in hospitalized HF patients, and one that is most pronounced in the domain related to physical functioning and general health.

Design and methodology of the COACH-2 (Comparative study on guideline adherence and patient compliance in heart failure patients) study: HF clinics versus primary care in stable patients on optimal therapy.

BACKGROUND: Since the number of heart failure (HF) patients is still growing and long-term treatment of HF patients is necessary, it is important to initiate effective ways for structural involvement of primary care services in HF management programs. However, evidence on whether and when patients can be referred back to be managed in primary care is lacking. AIM: To determine whether long-term patient management in primary care, after initial optimisation of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment in a specialised HF clinic, is equally effective as long-term management in a specialised HF clinic in terms of guideline adherence and patient compliance. METHOD: The study is designed as a randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial. Two-hundred patients will be randomly assigned to be managed and followed in primary care or in a HFclinic. Patients are eligible to participate if they are (1) clinically stable, (2) optimally up-titrated on medication (according to ESC guidelines) and, (3) have received optimal education and counselling on pre-specified issues regarding HF and its treatment. Furthermore, close cooperation between secondary and primary care in terms of back referral to or consultation of the HF clinic will be provided.The primary outcome will be prescriber adherence and patient compliance with medication after 12 months. Secondary outcomes measures will be readmission rate, mortality, quality of life and patient compliance with other lifestyle changes. EXPECTED RESULTS: The results of the study will add to the understanding of the role of primary care and HF clinics in the long-term follow-up of HF patients.

Heart failure patients monitored with telemedicine: patient satisfaction, a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Remote monitoring of the clinical status of heart failure patients has developed rapidly and is the subject of several trials. Patient satisfaction is an important outcome, as recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to use in clinical research, and should be included in studies concerning remote monitoring. The objective of this review is to describe the current state of the literature on patient satisfaction with noninvasive telemedicine, regarding definition, measurement, and overall level of patient satisfaction with telemedicine. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, and Cinahl databases were searched using heart failure-, satisfaction-, and telemedicine-related search terms. The literature search identified 193 publications, which were reviewed by 2 independent reviewers. Fourteen articles were included. None of the articles described a clear definition or concept of patient satisfaction with telemedicine. Patient satisfaction with telemedicine was measured with self-developed questionnaires or face-to-face or telephonic interviews. None of the articles used the same questionnaire or telephonic survey to measure patient satisfaction. Only one questionnaire was assessed for validity and reliability. In general, patients seemed to be satisfied or very satisfied with the use of telemedicine. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of patient satisfaction is still underexposed in telemedicine research and the measurement of patient satisfaction with telemedicine underappreciated with poorly constructed questionnaires.

The advisory brought to practice: routine screening on depression (and anxiety) in coronary heart disease; consequences and implications.

INTRODUCTION: Following the evidence, the American Heart Association recently published a Science Advisory with the recommendation that patients with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) should be screened for depressive symptoms and depression. Also the Heart Failure Guidelines recommend routine screening for depressive symptoms. Screening for anxiety was not included in these recommendations, despite findings in literature suggesting that cardiac patients are at risk for high levels of anxiety. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study is to obtain a realistic estimation of the consequences and implications of this advice for clinical practice. METHOD: Data on anxiety, and depression, need for help, demographics and disease related variables were collected in a cross-sectional study within a 2-month period (July-August 2008) at the cardiac outpatient clinic of the University Medical Center Groningen (The Netherlands). PATIENTS: Data of 217 patients were analyzed, mean age was 58years (±16) and 62% of the respondents were male. RESULTS: Of 217 patients, 26% indicated to have depressive symptoms and 42% indicated elevated levels of anxiety. About 35-50% of these patients indicated a moderate to high need for help. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was mainly associated with demographic factors and the occurrence of stressful life events. CONCLUSION: Routine screening will put an increased demand on psychosocial diagnostics and treatment, therefore the availability of professionals should be guaranteed in advance.