Effectiveness of a multidisciplinary disease management program on outcomes in patients with heart failure in China: A randomized controlled single center study

Abstract

Background: Multidisciplinary disease management programs (MDMP) for patients with heart failure (HF) have been delivered, but evidence of their effectiveness in China is limited.

Objective: To determine if a MDMP improves quality of life (QoL), physical performance, depressive symptoms, self-care behaviors and mortality or rehospitalization in patients with HF in China.

Methods: This is a randomized controlled single center trial in which patients with HF received either MDMP with discharge education, physical training, follow-up visits and telephone calls for 180 days (n = 31) or standard care (SC, n = 31).

Results: Compared with SC, QoL, depressive symptoms, and self-care behaviors were significantly improved by MDMP from baseline to 180 days (37% vs 66%, 20% vs 61%, and 8% vs 33%, respectively, all p < 0.001). There were no differences in physical performance and mortality or rehospitalization during follow-up.

Conclusions: A HF MDMP can improve QoL, depressive symptoms and self-care behaviors in China.

Keywords: Chinese; Disease management; Heart failure; Quality of life; Treatment outcome.