Research

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22 pages, 2265 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Globalisation of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Diseases in the World–Society—A Case Study with a Special Focus on Heart Failure

by Benjamin Quasinowski and Tao Liu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(9), 3150; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17093150 - 30 Apr 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2791

Abstract

While there has been a shift of attention in global health towards non-communicable diseases, we still know little about the social mechanisms that have allowed these diseases to emerge as topics of global concern. We employ a sociological approach to globalisation in order [...] Read more.

While there has been a shift of attention in global health towards non-communicable diseases, we still know little about the social mechanisms that have allowed these diseases to emerge as topics of global concern. We employ a sociological approach to globalisation in order to reconstruct how cardiology, with our special focus being on heart failure research, has become global, and thereby placed cardiovascular diseases on the agenda of global health. Following sociological theories of world–society and world–polity, we identify a number of preconditions that had to be met so that the globalisation of cardiology could set in. Amongst them were technological innovations, the emergence of an organisational infrastructure on the national level, the appearance of cardiological journals, and an internationally standardised nomenclature. More recently, new drugs and treatment strategies, new specialist journals, and new international standards allowed the subspeciality of heart failure to globalise. Our findings are based on the history and sociology of cardiology, and on our analysis of a broad range of other documents, including scientific articles, guidelines, and policy documents. Additionally, our analysis included two datasets, one containing information on national cardiac societies, and the other containing data on publication output in cardiology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Healthcare for People with Heart Failure)

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16 pages, 1942 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Living with Chronic Heart Failure: Exploring Patient, Informal Caregiver, and Healthcare Professional Perceptions

by Natasa Sedlar, Mitja Lainscak and Jerneja Farkas

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(8), 2666; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17082666 - 13 Apr 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4476

Abstract

Due to the complexity of heart failure (HF) and its treatment process, a high level of patient and informal caregiver engagement is required for management results. We aimed to explore the views of HF patients, informal caregivers, and healthcare professionals about personal experiences, [...] Read more.

Due to the complexity of heart failure (HF) and its treatment process, a high level of patient and informal caregiver engagement is required for management results. We aimed to explore the views of HF patients, informal caregivers, and healthcare professionals about personal experiences, perceived needs, and barriers to optimal HF management. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with HF patients (n = 32), their informal caregivers (n = 21), and healthcare professionals (n = 5) was conducted in the outpatient HF clinic in Slovenia in 2018. A content analysis method was used to analyze the data. Negative emotional response to disease and its limitations (especially the inability to continue with work) and changes in family roles were the most prevalent topics regarding the impact of HF on livelihood. Among the most common barriers to HF self-care, were the difficulties in changing lifestyle, financial difficulties due to the disease, traditional cuisine/lack of knowledge regarding a healthy diet and lack of self-confidence regarding physical activity. Despite psychological and social difficulties due to HF being highlighted by patients and informal caregivers, only healthcare professionals emphasized the need to address psychosocial aspects of care in HF management. Established differences could inform the implementation of necessary support mechanisms in HF management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Healthcare for People with Heart Failure)

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13 pages, 380 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sex Differences in Comorbidity, Therapy, and Health Services’ Use of Heart Failure in Spain: Evidence from Real-World Data

by Anyuli Gracia Gutiérrez, Beatriz Poblador-Plou, Alexandra Prados-Torres, Fernando J Ruiz Laiglesia and Antonio Gimeno-Miguel

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(6), 2136; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17062136 - 23 Mar 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2796

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is becoming increasingly prevalent and affects both men and women. However, women have traditionally been underrepresented in HF clinical trials. In this study, we aimed to analyze sex differences in the comorbidity, therapy, and health services’ use of HF patients. [...] Read more.

Heart failure (HF) is becoming increasingly prevalent and affects both men and women. However, women have traditionally been underrepresented in HF clinical trials. In this study, we aimed to analyze sex differences in the comorbidity, therapy, and health services’ use of HF patients. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Aragón (Spain) and described the characteristics of 17,516 patients with HF. Women were more frequent (57.4 vs. 42.6%, p < 0.001) and older (83 vs. 80 years, p < 0.001) than men, and presented a 33% lower risk of 1-year mortality (p < 0.001). Both sexes showed similar disease burdens, and 80% suffered six or more diseases. Some comorbidities were clearly sex-specific, such as arthritis, depression, and hypothyroidism in women, and arrhythmias, ischemic heart disease, and COPD in men. Men were more frequently anti-aggregated and anti-coagulated and received more angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta-blockers, whereas women had more angiotensin II antagonists, antiinflammatories, antidepressants, and thyroid hormones dispensed. Men were admitted to specialists (79.0 vs. 70.6%, p < 0.001), hospital (47.0 vs. 38.1%, p < 0.001), and emergency services (57.6 vs. 52.7%, p < 0.001) more frequently than women. Our results highlight the need to conduct future studies to confirm the existence of these differences and of developing separate HF management guidelines for men and women that take into account their sex-specific comorbidity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Healthcare for People with Heart Failure)

11 pages, 308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Anemia and Cognitive Impairment among Elderly Patients with Heart Failure

by Eun Young Kim and Youn-Jung Son

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(16), 2933; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph16162933 - 15 Aug 2019

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2433

Abstract

Cognitive impairment is more prevalent in heart failure (HF) patients. Anemia can influence cognitive ability and is likely more prevalent in elderly patients with HF. However, there are limited data on the association of anemia with cognitive impairment in elderly HF patients. This [...] Read more.

Cognitive impairment is more prevalent in heart failure (HF) patients. Anemia can influence cognitive ability and is likely more prevalent in elderly patients with HF. However, there are limited data on the association of anemia with cognitive impairment in elderly HF patients. This study aimed to identify the association between anemia and cognitive impairment in elderly HF patients. This secondary data analysis included 181 patients aged 60 years or older with HF. Patients were categorized into an anemic or non-anemic group based on World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. We assessed the cognitive function using the Modified Mini-Mental State (3MS) at the time of enrollment. The prevalence of anemia and cognitive impairment in older patients with HF was the same at 35.4%. The main finding of the multiple logistic regression indicated that compared to a non-anemic status, anemia increased the risk of cognitive impairment (odds ratio (OR) = 4.268, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.898–9.593, p < 0.001). Healthcare providers should recognize the value of the significance of early assessment of anemic status and cognitive function following HF. A prospective cohort study should identify the pathway of the association between anemia and incidence of cognitive impairment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Healthcare for People with Heart Failure)

16 pages, 1329 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Self-Care Practices of Primary Health Care Patients Diagnosed with Chronic Heart Failure: A Cross-Sectional Survey

by Rosalia Santesmases-Masana, Luis González-de Paz, Elvira Hernández-Martínez-Esparza, Belchin Kostov and Maria Dolors Navarro-Rubio

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(9), 1625; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph16091625 - 09 May 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3955

Abstract

Chronic heart failure patients require self-care behaviors and active monitoring of signs and symptoms to prevent worsening. Most patients with this condition are attended in primary healthcare centers. This study aimed to evaluate the endorsement of and adherence to self-care behaviors in primary [...] Read more.

Chronic heart failure patients require self-care behaviors and active monitoring of signs and symptoms to prevent worsening. Most patients with this condition are attended in primary healthcare centers. This study aimed to evaluate the endorsement of and adherence to self-care behaviors in primary health care patients with chronic heart failure. We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study. We randomly included chronic heart failure patients from 10 primary healthcare centers in the Barcelona metropolitan area (Spain). Patients completed the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behaviour Scale, a health literacy questionnaire. Differences between groups were studied using ANOVA tests. We included 318 patients with a mean age of 77.9 years, mild limitations in functional activity New York Heart Association scale (NYHA) II = 51.25%), and a low health literacy index of 79.6%. The endorsement of self-care behaviors was low in daily weighing (10.66%), contacting clinicians if the body weight increased (22.57%), and doing physical exercise regularly (35.58%). Patients with lower educational levels and a worse health literacy had a lower endorsement. The screening of individual self-care practices in heart failure patients might improve the clinician follow-up. We suggest that primary healthcare clinicians should routinely screen self-care behaviors to identify patients requiring a closer follow-up and to design and adapt rehabilitation programs to improve self-care. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Healthcare for People with Heart Failure)

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11 pages, 884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sexual Activity in Heart Failure Patients: Information Needs and Association with Health-Related Quality of Life

by Anneleen Baert, Sofie Pardaens, Delphine De Smedt, Paolo Emilio Puddu, Maria Costanza Ciancarelli, Amos Dawodu, Johan De Sutter, Dirk De Bacquer and Els Clays

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(9), 1570; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph16091570 - 05 May 2019

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3312

Abstract

(1) Background: the main objective of this study was to investigate information needs concerning sexual activity and experienced sexual problems in heart failure (HF) patients and, in addition, to examine the association between these sexual problems and health-related quality of life (HRQoL); [...] Read more.

(1) Background: the main objective of this study was to investigate information needs concerning sexual activity and experienced sexual problems in heart failure (HF) patients and, in addition, to examine the association between these sexual problems and health-related quality of life (HRQoL); (2) Methods: in this cross-sectional study, three self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 77 stable ambulatory HF patients to acquire data on HRQoL, sexual problems, and need for counselling; (3) Results: More than half (56.7%) of HF patients experienced a marked decrease or total cessation of sexual activity due to their illness. Additionally, more than one-third perceived a marked decrease or total absence of sexual pleasure (42.5%), interest (32.9%), and constant problems or being unable to perform sexual activity (37.3%). Furthermore, 43.1% of patients experienced an important overall need for counselling concerning sexual activity, with information on relationships (69.2%), symptoms (58.5%), and relaxation (49.2%) being the most desired topics. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that sexual problems were independently associated with HRQoL, with more sexual problems (t = 3.19, p < 0.01) being related to poor HRQoL; (4) Conclusion: by investigating the experienced problems and counselling needs of HF patients, an alignment between current practice and HF patients’ expectations and needs might be obtained. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Healthcare for People with Heart Failure)

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Review

Jump to: Research

18 pages, 501 KiB

Open AccessReview

Transitional Care Interventions for Patients with Heart Failure: An Integrative Review

by Hai Mai Ba, Youn-Jung Son, Kyounghoon Lee and Bo-Hwan Kim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(8), 2925; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17082925 - 23 Apr 2020

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 8105

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a life-limiting illness and presents as a gradual functional decline with intermittent episodes of acute deterioration and some recovery. In addition, HF often occurs in conjunction with other chronic diseases, resulting in complex comorbidities. Hospital readmissions for HF, including [...] Read more.

Heart failure (HF) is a life-limiting illness and presents as a gradual functional decline with intermittent episodes of acute deterioration and some recovery. In addition, HF often occurs in conjunction with other chronic diseases, resulting in complex comorbidities. Hospital readmissions for HF, including emergency department (ED) visits, are considered preventable. Majority of the patients with HF are often discharged early in the recovery period with inadequate self-care instructions. To address these issues, transitional care interventions have been implemented with the common objective of reducing the rate of hospital readmission, including ED visits. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the benefits and adverse effects of transitional care interventions on clinical outcomes and patient-related outcomes of patients with HF. This integrative review aims to identify the components of transitional care interventions and the effectiveness of these interventions in improving health outcomes of patients with HF. Five databases were searched from January 2000 to December 2019, and 25 articles were included. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Healthcare for People with Heart Failure)

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13 pages, 1233 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effectiveness of Mobile Phone-Based Interventions for Improving Health Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Youn-Jung Son, Yaelim Lee and Hyeon-Ju Lee

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(5), 1749; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17051749 - 07 Mar 2020

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5531

Abstract

Mobile phone-based interventions are increasingly used to prevent adverse health outcomes in heart failure patients. However, the effects of mobile phone-based interventions on the health outcomes of heart failure patients remain unclear. Our review aims to synthesize the randomized controlled trials (RCT) of [...] Read more.

Mobile phone-based interventions are increasingly used to prevent adverse health outcomes in heart failure patients. However, the effects of mobile phone-based interventions on the health outcomes of heart failure patients remain unclear. Our review aims to synthesize the randomized controlled trials (RCT) of mobile phone-based interventions for heart failure patients and identify the intervention features that are most effective. Electronic searches of RCTs published from January 2000 to July 2019 were conducted. Primary outcomes included all-cause mortality, readmission, emergency department visits, length of hospital stays, and quality of life. Secondary outcomes were self-care behaviors, including medication adherence and other clinical outcomes. A total of eight studies with varying methodological quality met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Voice call intervention was more frequently used compared with telemonitoring and short message services. Our meta-analysis showed that voice call interventions had significant effects on the length of hospital stays. However, no significant effects on all-cause mortality, readmission, emergency department visits, or quality of life were found. Compared to other mobile phone-based interventions, voice calls were more effective in reducing the length of hospital stay. Future studies are needed to identify which features of mobile phone-based intervention most effectively improve health outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Healthcare for People with Heart Failure)

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