Abstract 13533: Communication With Family Caregivers is Beneficial for Improving Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure

Abstract

I ntroduction: Supportive relationships within dyad members involved in heart failure (HF) self-management are beneficial in improving the outcomes of patients. Perceived control over a health condition and depressive symptoms are known to affect health-related quality of life (QoL). Little is known about how mutual support enhances health-related QoL in patients with HF. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between supportive relationship and QoL and whether the association is mediated by perceived control and depressive symptoms in patients with HF. Methods: A total of 155 patients with HF (mean age = 60 years, 65% male, 77% married) completed questionnaires including supportive relationships in communication, decision-making, and reciprocity (Shared Care Instrument [SCI]), perceived control (Control Attitude Scale-Revised), depressive symptoms (Patients Health Questionnaire), and QoL (Minnesota Living with HF). A parallel mediation model was conducted adjusted for age, sex, and functional status (Duke Activity Status Index). Results: Decision-making and reciprocity were not associated with QoL directly and indirectly through the two mediators. Communication was also not directly associated with QoL (Figure 1), but was indirectly related through perceived control (indirect effect = -.177, 95% CI -.288 to -.004) and depressive symptoms (indirect effect = -.576, 95% CI -.883 to -.310). It means that patients who were highly communicative with family caregivers were more likely to have better QoL because of increased perceived control over health conditions and decreased depressive symptoms. Conclusion: HF management involves interdependent interactions between patients and family caregivers. The findings suggest that the use of supportive communication strategies to increase perceived control and depressive symptoms between dyad members in HF management may be beneficial in improving the quality of life in patients with HF.