The Level of Self-Care among Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Abstract

Introduction: In a long-term approach to the treatment of heart failure, importance is given to the process of self-care management and behaviors. The number of rehospitalizations and unscheduled medical visits can be reduced by actively engaging patients in the self-care process.

Methods: The study included 403 patients with chronic heart failure (mean LVEF 40.53%), hospitalized in the Cardiology Department. Medical record analysis and a self-report questionnaire were used to obtain basic sociodemographic and clinical data. The European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior Scale, revised into a nine-item scale (EHFScBS-9), was used to evaluate self-care behavior.

Results: Analysis of the EHFSc-9 self-care behavior scale showed that the mean score was 49.55 out of 100 possible points (SD = 22.07). Univariate analysis revealed that significant (p < 0.05) negative predictors of the EHFScB-9 self-care scale included: male sex (b = -5146), hospitalizations in the last year (b = -5488), NYHA class II (b = -11,797) and NYHA IV class (b = -15,196). The multivariate linear regression model showed that a significant (p ˂ 0.05) negative predictor of the EHFScB-9 self-care scale was male sex (b = -5.575).

Conclusions: Patients with chronic HF achieve near optimal self-care behavior outcomes. A patient prepared to engage with self-care will have fewer rehospitalizations and a better quality of life.

Keywords: EHFSc-9 self-care behavior scale; heart failure; lifestyle; self-care.