Cardiac rehabilitation: pedagogical education strategies have positive effect on long-term patient-reported outcomes.

This study examined whether patients attending cardiac rehabilitation (CR) based on the pedagogical strategy learning and coping (LC) led to improved health-related quality of life (HRQL), reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression and improved self-management 6 and 12 months after the completion of CR compared with patients attending CR based on the pedagogical strategy 'Empowerment, Motivation and Medical Adherence' (EMMA). A pragmatic cluster-controlled trial of two pedagogical strategies, LC and EMMA, including 10 primary health care settings and 555 patients diagnosed with ischaemic heart disease and referred to CR between August 2018 and July 2019 was conducted. In total, 312 patients replied to the questionnaires collected at baseline, 12 weeks, 6 months and 12 months after completing CR. Linear regression analyses adjusted for potential confounder variables and cluster effects were performed. We found clinically relevant and statistically significant improvements in HRQL, anxiety, depression and self-management after completing CR. The improvements were sustained at 6 and 12 months after the completion of CR. We found no differences between the two evidence-based patient education strategies. In conclusion, this study supports the use of evidence-based patient education strategies, but there is no evidence to suggest that one pedagogical strategy is superior to the other.

Short- and long-term effects of the patient education strategy-learning and coping-in cardiac rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial (LC-REHAB).

The objectives were to assess the short- and long-term effect of the patient education strategy 'Learning and Coping' (LC) in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on health-related quality of life, patient education impact, cardiac risk factors and lifestyle. In total, 825 patients hospitalized with ischaemic heart disease or heart failure were randomized to either LC-CR or standard CR at three Danish hospitals. Teaching approach in LC-CR was situational, inductive and reflective, with experienced patients as co-educators and supplemental interviews. Teaching approach in standard CR was structured and deductive. Outcomes were assessed immediately after CR, and after 3 months (short term), and after 3 years (long term). Between-arm differences in favour of LC-CR were SF-12 'role emotional' (3.7, 95% CI: 0.6-6.8) and MDI depression score (0.9, 0.1-1.8) immediately after CR, exercise capacity (4 W, 1-9) at 3 months and SF-12 'role physical' (4.6, 0.1-9.0) (long term). Between-arm differences in favour of controls were waist circumference (-1.7 cm, -2.3 to -1.0) immediately after CR and HeiQ domain 'Constructive attitudes and approaches' (0.11, 0.04-0.18), triglycerides (-0.12 mmol/l, -0.21 to -0.02), systolic blood pressure (-3.12 mmHg, -5.66 to -0.58) at 3 months. Adding LC strategies to CR provides inconsistent short-term results but improves 'role physical' long term.

Effects of the patient education strategy 'Learning and Coping' in cardiac rehabilitation on readmissions and mortality: a randomized controlled trial (LC-REHAB).

We assessed the effects of the patient education strategy 'Learning and Coping' (LC) in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on mortality and readmissions by exploring results from the LC-REHAB trial. In all, 825 patients with ischaemic heart disease or heart failure were randomized to the intervention arm (LC-CR) or the control arm (standard CR) at three hospitals in Denmark. LC-CR was situational and inductive, with experienced patients as co-educators supplemented with two individual interviews. Group-based training and education hours were the same in both arms. Outcomes were time to death or readmission, length of stay and absolute number of deaths or readmissions. No between-arm differences were found in time to death, first readmission, or length of stay. Within 30 days after completion of CR, the absolute number of all-cause readmissions was 117 in the LC arm and 146 in the control arm, adjusted odds ratio 78 (95% CI: 0.61-1.01), P = 0.06. This trend diminished over time. Adding LC strategies to standard CR showed a short term but no significant long-term effect on mortality or readmissions. However, the study was not powered to detect differences in mortality and morbidity. Thus, a risk of overseeing a true effect was present.

Spiritual, religious, and existential concerns of cancer survivors in a secular country with focus on age, gender, and emotional challenges.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between self-reported spiritual/religious concerns and age, gender, and emotional challenges among cancer survivors who have completed a 5-day rehabilitation course at a rehabilitation center in Denmark (the former RehabiliteringsCenter Dallund (RC Dallund)). METHODS: The data stem from the so-called Dallund Scale which was adapted from the NCCN Distress Thermometer and comprised questions to identify problems and concerns of a physical, psychosocial, and spiritual/religious nature. Descriptive statistics were performed using means for continuous variables and frequencies for categorical variables. Odds ratios were calculated by logistic regression. RESULTS: In total, 6640 participants filled in the questionnaire. Among participants, 21% reported one or more spiritual/religious concerns, the most reported concerns related to existence and guilt. Having one or more spiritual/religious concerns was significantly associated with age (OR 0.88), female gender (OR 1.38), and by those reporting emotional problems such as being without hope (OR 2.51), depressed (OR 1.49), and/or anxious (OR 1.95). Among participants, 8% stated they needed help concerning spiritual/religious concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer patients, living in a highly secular country, report a significant frequency of spiritual/religious and existential concerns. Such concerns are mostly reported by the young, female survivors and by those reporting emotional challenges. Spiritual/religious and existential concerns are often times tabooed in secular societies, despite being present in patients. Our results call for an increased systemic attention among health professionals to these concerns, and a particular focus on identifying and meeting the spiritual/religious and existential concerns of women, the young and those challenged by hopelessness, depression, and anxiety.

Physical activity increases survival after heart valve surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Increased physical activity predicts survival and reduces risk of readmission in patients with coronary heart disease. However, few data show how physical activity is associated with survival and readmission after heart valve surgery. Objective were to assess the association between physical activity levels 6-12 months after heart valve surgery and (1) survival, (2) hospital readmission 18-24 months after surgery and (3) participation in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation. METHODS: Prospective cohort study with registry data from The CopenHeart survey, The Danish National Patient Register and The Danish Civil Registration System of 742 eligible patients. Physical activity was quantified with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and analysed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression and logistic regression methods. RESULTS: Patients with a moderate to high physical activity level had a reduced risk of mortality (3 deaths in 289 patients, 1%) compared with those with a low physical activity level (13 deaths in 235 patients, 5.5%) with a fully adjusted HR of 0.19 (95% CI 0.05 to 0.70). In contrast, physical activity level was not associated with the risk of hospital readmission. Patients who participated in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (n=297) were more likely than the non-participants (n=200) to have a moderate or high physical activity level than a low physical activity level (fully adjusted OR: 1.52, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.24). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to high levels of physical activity after heart valve surgery are positively associated with higher survival rates and participation in cardiac rehabilitation.

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation after heart valve surgery: cost analysis of healthcare use and sick leave.

BACKGROUND: Owing to a lack of evidence, patients undergoing heart valve surgery have been offered exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) since 2009 based on recommendations for patients with ischaemic heart disease in Denmark. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of CR on the costs of healthcare use and sick leave among heart valve surgery patients over 12 months post surgery. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide survey on the CR participation of all patients having undergone valve surgery between 1 January 2011 and 30 June 2011 (n=667). Among the responders (n=500, 75%), the resource use categories of primary and secondary healthcare, prescription medication and sick leave were analysed for CR participants (n=277) and non-participants (n=223) over 12 months. A difference-in-difference analysis was undertaken. All estimates were presented as the means per patient (95% CI) based on non-parametric bootstrapping of SEs. RESULTS: Total costs during the 12 months following surgery were €16 065 per patient (95% CI 13 730 to 18 399) in the CR group and €15 182 (12 695 to 17 670) in the non-CR group. CR led to 5.6 (2.9 to 8.3, p<0.01) more outpatient visits per patient. No statistically significant differences in other cost categories or total costs €1330 (-4427 to 7086, p=0.65) were found between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: CR, as provided in Denmark, can be considered cost neutral. CR is associated with more outpatient visits, but CR participation potentially offsets more expensive outpatient visits. Further studies should investigate the benefits of CR to heart valve surgery patients as part of a formal cost-utility analysis.

High readmission rate after heart valve surgery: A nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: After heart valve surgery, knowledge on long-term self-reported health status and readmission is lacking. Thus, the optimal strategy for out-patient management after surgery remains unclear. METHODS: Using a nationwide survey with linkage to Danish registers with one year follow-up, we included all adults 6-12 months after heart valve surgery irrespective of valve procedure, during Jan-June 2011 (n = 867). Participants completed a questionnaire regarding health-status (n = 742), and answers were compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Readmission rates and mortality were investigated. RESULTS: After valve surgery, the self-reported health was lower (Short Form-36 (SF-36) Physical Component Scale (PCS): 44.5 vs. 50.6 and Mental Component Scale (MCS): 51.9 vs. 55.0, p < 0.0001) and more were physically sedentary compared with healthy controls (11.1% vs. 15.2%). Clinical signs of anxiety and depression were present in 13.6% and 13.8%, respectively (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score ≥ 8). Twelve months following discharge, 483 persons (56%) were readmitted. Readmission was associated with lower self-reported health (SF-36 PCS: 46.5 vs. 43.9, and MCS 52.2 vs. 50.7). Higher age (hazard ratio (95% CI): 1.3 (1.0-1.6)), male sex (1.2 (1.0-1.5)), mitral valve surgery (1.3 (1.0-1.6)), and infective endocarditis after surgery (1.8 (1.1-3.0), p: 0.01) predicted readmission, whereas higher age (2.3 (1.0-5.4)), higher comorbidity score (3.2 (1.8-6.0)), and infective endocarditis after surgery (3.2 (1.2-8.9)) predicted mortality. CONCLUSIONS: 6-12 months after heart valve surgery the readmission rate is high and the self-reported health status is low. Readmission is associated with low self-reported health. Therefore, targeted follow-up strategies post-surgery are needed.