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Tiny Jaarsma

Publications and source records attributed to Tiny Jaarsma.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Non-compliance in patients with heart failure; how can we manage it?

BACKGROUND: Because of the improvement of the pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment in heart failure (HF) patients, the HF related therapeutic regimen is becoming more complicated. Non-compliance with this regimen can result in worsening HF symptoms, sometimes leading to hospitalisation. AIMS: The aims of this systematic literature review are (1) to describe the consequences of non-compliance in HF patients; (2) to summarise the degree of compliance in the various aspects of the therapeutic regimen; and (3) to review interventions that are recommended to improve compliance in HF patients. METHODS: A literature search of the MEDLINE and CINAHL database from 1988 to June 2003 was performed. Studies on compliance with life style recommendations according to the HF Guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology and the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology were included. CONCLUSION: Non-compliance with medication and other lifestyle recommendations is a major problem in patients with HF. Evidence based interventions to improve compliance in patients with HF are scarce. Interventions that can increase compliance and prevent HF related readmissions in order to improve the quality of life of patients with HF need to be developed and tested.

Adult↗

Design and methodology of the COACH study: a multicenter randomised Coordinating study evaluating Outcomes of Advising and Counselling in Heart failure.

BACKGROUND: While there are data to support the use of comprehensive non-pharmacological intervention programs in patients with heart failure (HF), other studies have not confirmed these positive findings. Substantial differences in the type and intensity of disease management programs make it impossible to draw definitive conclusions about the effectiveness, optimal timing and frequency of interventions. AIMS: 1. To determine the effectiveness of two interventions (basic support vs. intensive support) compared to 'care as usual' in HF patients, on time to first major event (HF readmission or death), quality of life and costs. 2. To investigate the role of underlying mechanisms (knowledge, beliefs, self-care behaviour, compliance) on the effectiveness of the two interventions. METHODS: This is a randomised controlled trial in which 1050 patients with heart failure will be randomised into three treatment arms: care as usual, basic education and support or intensive education and support. Outcomes of this study are; time to first major event (HF hospitalisation or death), quality of life (Minnesota Living with HF Questionnaire, RAND36 and Ladder of Life) and costs. Data will be collected during initial admission and then 1, 6, 12, and 18 months after discharge. In addition, data on knowledge, beliefs, self-care behaviour and compliance will be collected. RESULTS: The study started in January 2002 and results are expected at the end of 2005. CONCLUSIONS: This study will help health care providers in future to make rational and informed choices about which components of a HF management program should be expanded and which components can possibly be deleted.

Counseling↗

A survey of coronary risk factors and B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations in cardiac nurses from Europe: do nurses still practice what they preach?

BACKGROUND: From a previous survey of cardiac nurses attending a scientific conference, we learned that these nurses adopted a healthier lifestyle than the general population. AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the overall profile of cardiac risk factors in a similar cohort and determine whether cardiac nurses continue to 'practice what they preach' in this regard. Secondly, we examined the practical value of screening a large cohort of individuals within a short time frame (total of 8 hours screening time) and determined the range of BNP concentrations within a 'healthy' cohort. METHODS: Data on CHD risk factors were collected with a short self-report questionnaire. The sample consisted of 122 cardiac nurses from 19 countries attending a European cardiac nursing conference held in Stockholm. A venous blood sample was collected into a tube containing potassium ETDA. B-type natriuretic peptide was measured on-site with the use of a portable fluorescence immunoassay kit. RESULTS: Most participants were female (89%). Participants ranged in age from 23 to 60 years with a mean age of 41 (S.D. 9.4). Eleven percent - all female - reported they were current smokers, 27% (34) had a BMI >25 and 27% of the sample stated they did not exercise regularly. Almost half (48%) of the sample reported a family history of CHD. As expected, all BNP-values were within the normal range. There were significant differences in BNP on the basis of sex (P<0.05) and age (P<0.05) and a trend towards increasing BNP concentrations with progressively higher BMI scores (P=0.06). CONCLUSION: This study reconfirms the likelihood that many cardiac nurses heed their own advice on lifestyle modification to reduce cardiovascular risk and therefore provide a good role model for the promotion of primary and secondary prevention initiatives.

Adult↗

Building bridges: the American Heart Association-European Society of Cardiology's International Nursing Collaboration.

This paper described the formal collaboration between the American Heart Association's Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and the European Society of Cardiology's Working Group on Cardiovascular Nursing. This collaboration comprises following dimensions: (1). further expansion on collaboration on annual conferences; (2). development of mentoring initiatives; (3). initiation of research collaboration; (4). development of joint guidelines; and (5). appointment of liaison persons of AHA to ESC and vice versa.

American Heart Association↗

Sexual problems in heart failure patients.

Sexual problems can affect quality of life of patients with advanced heart failure. At this moment sexual problems in patients with heart failure are described in a few studies, however, no data are available on a European sample. The objective of this study was to report on the occurrence of sexual problems in patients with advanced heart failure and to study the relationship of sexual problems with demographic and clinical variables and overall quality of life. Data of 73 patients with heart failure, (mean age 70 years, 80% male), living with a spouse, collected at 3 points in time were analysed. It was found that symptoms of heart failure do effect the sexual relationships. Patients report marked changes in sexual function as a result of their disease. Even in a recovery period of 9 months after discharge patients report considerable changes in frequency of sexual activity, sexual interest, satisfaction and sexual performance as a result of heart failure. Most patients did not report problems in their relationship as a result of heart failure or as a result of sexual problems. Sexual adjustment was related to functional status, number of co-morbidities and age. Better sexual adjustment was also related to a higher quality of life.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Nurse-managed heart failure programmes in the Netherlands.

Heart failure (HF) care in Europe is going through a lot of changes. Nurses have increasingly important roles in providing optimal care for these chronically ill patients in the Netherlands. The first steps to organise HF nurses have been taken and an overview of HF management programmes in Netherlands has been recently made available. A descriptive study was performed consisting of: (1) a screening phase in which all hospitals (n=109) and 105 home care organisations were approached by telephone to assess availability of HF management programmes and (2) a questionnaires in which content and organisation of the programmes were described. At the moment, the majority of all the hospitals (75%) have, or are currently developing a HF management programme. In 19 home care organisations (18%) a programme was available and 3 organisations had concrete plans to start on short notice. Components of HF programmes differ considerably, with follow-up after discharge from the hospital as the most often reported component. Other components of programmes include patient education, increased access to health care professionals and adjusting medication. Exercise programmes are not often available. Organisational aspects in regard to setting, financing and staffing also differ between various programmes. It was concluded that there is a considerable increase in the number of HF management programmes in the Netherlands, both hospital based and home based. A lot of questions in regard to the most optimal content and the organisation of HF management programmes remain unanswered.

Aged↗

Marital status, quality of life, and clinical outcome in patients with heart failure.

AIM: This study investigated the impact of having a partner on quality of life (QoL), the number of hospital readmissions, and 9-month survival in patients with heart failure (HF). METHODS: The study population consisted of hospitalized patients with HF. QoL was measured by the Cantril Ladder of Life (0-10) during hospital admission. Clinical data, readmission rate, and number of deaths were registered by patient interview and chart review. RESULTS: Of the 179 patients, 96 (54%) were married or were living with a partner. Differences in QoL between married patients and those living alone were most pronounced with regard to future expectations of QoL (6.5 vs 5.0, P=.00). However, in a multivariate model QoL was primarily associated with socioeconomic status, age, and gender. Married patients had 12% less events in the 9-month follow-up period compared with patients living alone (P=not significant). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that most patients with HF who are living alone are mostly elderly women with a low socioeconomic status, who are at risk for recurrent events and a worse QoL.

Aged↗

The importance and impact of social support on outcomes in patients with heart failure: an overview of the literature.

As advances in medical treatment of heart failure (HF) become limited, other factors are being studied to improve outcomes. There is much evidence that supportive social relations have a major impact on health outcomes and that social support is essential for adjustment to illness. This article describes current research on the influence of social support on outcomes in patients with HF. A computerized literature search in Medline, CINAHL, and PsychLit was performed on each of the different outcomes in relation to social support, covering the period 1993 to 2003. Seventeen studies were found that investigated the relationship between social support and different outcome measures in HF. Four studies found clear relationships between social support and rehospitalizations and mortality; the relationship between quality of life and depression was less clear. Up to now, limited research has been done on the impact of social support on outcomes in patients with HF. The available studies suggest that social support has an impact on HF outcomes but further research is necessary before firm conclusions about the nature of these relationships can be reached.

Adaptation, Psychological↗