Viver com Insuficiência Cardíaca: necessidades de apoio sentidas e a qualidade de vida dos utentes acompanhados no Hospital de Dia da ULS de Santa Maria

Abstract

ABSTRACT - INTRODUCTION: Heart failure (HF) is a complex syndrome mostly affecting people over 50 years. HF has deep impact in patient's health related quality of life (HRQoL) and its continuous monitoring allows to develop effective response mechanisms for better disease management. This study aims to characterize HF diagnosed patients’ HRQoL from Cardiology Day Hospital from Unidade Local de Saúde de Santa Maria. METHODS: Participants were invited to anonymously answer a survey consisting of EuroQol-5D-5L questionnaire, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) (23 items) and support needs in the areas of pain appointment, General Practitioner (GP), physiotherapy, nutrition, and psychological support. Descriptive analysis, statistical tests and multiple linear regressions were performed, considering a 95% Confidence Interval. RESULTS: 100 participants were enrolled, median age from 61-70 years and 66% male. Women showed lower utility scores and lower KCCQ Overall Summary Score (OSS) results than men. Spearman correlation was determined between EuroQol-5D-5L index and KCCQ OSS (rs=0.723,p<0.01). 82% (n=82) of patients stated GP’s support need, of which 43% (n=35) said that support had not met their expectations or had no access to it. Psychological support was evidenced by 32 patients, of which 78% (n=25) had no access to. QoL-HF deficit increases by 12% when a decade of life advances, and reduces 1,9% for every percentage point increase in EQ-5D-5L index (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Female patients with HF evidence lower overall QoL. Psychological support was identified as necessary, but in serious lack of response. Performing studies that include more characteristics of the disease could contribute to the current lack of knowledge.