ORLANDO, Nov. 5 — Heart failure patients are more likely to comply with important non-medication interventions, such as fluid and salt restrictions and regular weighing, when they have intensive support from a heart failure nurse and multidisciplinary team than if they do not, researchers reported at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2007.
Although previous studies have examined medication adherence among heart failure patients, limited information is available on these patients’ adherence to the complex nonpharmacologic regimen of sodium restriction, fluid restriction and daily weighing.
“We examined the effect of education and counseling by heart failure nurses on adherence to nonpharmacologic treatments because these are so important to the patients’ survival,” said Martje H.L. van der Wal, R.N., Ph.D., study lead author and a cardiology nurse researcher at the department of cardiology of the University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, in The Netherlands.
Researchers referred to the Coordinating Study Evaluating Outcomes of Advising and Counseling in Heart Failure (COACH) study, representing data from 17 Dutch hospitals and 1,023 heart failure patients (average age 71).
Patients were assigned to three groups:
On five occasions during the study, all patients completed questionnaires addressing adherence, knowledge of heart failure and depressive symptoms.
The study found that heart failure nurses make a positive impact on these patients’ adherence to nonpharmacologic treatment. While basic support improved compliance in all three areas, intensive support led to more significant improvement in daily weighing, which is vital for monitoring the condition, van der Wal said.
During the 18 months of the study:
More patients in the support groups were aware of important symptoms of worsening heart failure and when to call health care providers.
“Support from a heart failure nurse can help patients to cope with the difficult and complex regimen they have for their heart failure and to incorporate the regimen into their daily lives,” van der Wal said.
Future studies should explore other ways to educate and communicate with heart failure patients, including using the Internet. Researchers also should look at how to optimally increase adherence in heart failure patients with depressive symptoms or cognitive decline, she said.
Co-authors are Tiny Jaarsma, Ph.D. and Dirk J. van Veldhuisen, Ph.D., M.D.
The study was funded by The Netherlands Heart Foundation.
Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position. The American Heart Association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability.