Associated factors and impacts of sedentary behaviour in patients with heart failure: A longitudinal study

Combined effects of physical activity and sedentary behavior on all-cause mortality in heart failure patients: A cohort study of national health and nutrition examination survey analysis

Background

Physical activity and sedentary behavior are independently related to the risk of cardiovascular disease. Physical activity is recognized as having a protective effect, while being sedentary seems to be adverse. Nonetheless, the interactions between physical activity and sedentary behavior and the combined effect on the prognosis of heart failure patients remain unclear.

Methods and results

This cohort study included 886 heart failure patients from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2018. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were assessed by the NHANES questionnaires. The all-caused deaths of enrolled subjects were identified from National Death Index (NDI) database. During a median follow-up of 51 months, 321 (36.2%) deaths from any causes occurred. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the all-cause mortality in heart failure patients associated with physical activity and sedentary behavior. Physical activity was independently associated with lower mortality [HR = 0.51, 95% CI (0.38-0.68), p < 0.001] and sedentary behavior was associated with adverse prognosis [HR = 1.79, 95% CI (1.41-2.28), p < 0.001]. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that physical activity appeared to attenuate the negative consequences of SB, while sedentary behavior increased the all-cause mortality, particularly those without physical activity.

Conclusion

Physical activity has a protective effect on HF patients' prognosis, particularly those with sedentary behavior. Sedentary behavior independently exhibited a negative association in populations without physical activity, while it does not increase mortality in those with moderate physical activity.

Fatigue trajectory and its associated factors in patients after cardiac surgery: A longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Fatigue is associated with multidimensional factors in heart failure patients. Investigating longitudinal changes in fatigue and its association in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is needed to create interventions for improving fatigue during recovery.

AIMS

This study examined the trajectory of fatigue and its associated factors over time in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

METHODS

This longitudinal study enrolled 125 patients undergoing cardiac surgery in northern Taiwan. Patients completed questionnaires before surgery, at discharge, and at 1, 3 and 6 months post-discharge. Fatigue was measured using the General Fatigue Scale. Generalised estimating equation models were fitted to identify variables associated with fatigue over time. This study complied with the STROBE checklist.

RESULTS

The sample (mean age = 60.70 ± 10.42) was mostly male (68%). High fatigue was found in 73.6% of patients before cardiac surgery and significantly decreased over the six months after discharge. NYHA III/IV, lower haemoglobin level, more symptom distress, poor sleep quality, higher anxiety and depression and lower social and family support were significantly associated with an increase in fatigue levels over time. Compared with before discharge, decreases in sleep quality at 1, 3 and 6 months were significantly associated with an increase in fatigue levels (p < .001). The increases in social support (B = 0.20, p = .016) and family support (B = 0.37, p = .002) at 6 months were significantly associated with an increase in the fatigue scores.

CONCLUSION

Fatigue was common and associated with symptoms, sleep quality, emotion and social support in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. In addition to symptom management, improving sleep quality and social support are important to manage fatigue for the long-term care of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Patient education on symptom management, sleep hygiene and family support is suggested to improve fatigue in patients recovering from cardiac surgery.

Factors Associated With Frailty in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Longitudinal Study

BACKGROUND

Frailty may increase the risk of complications and mortality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Few studies on frailty and its associated factors have been conducted in these patients.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore frailty and related factors in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

METHODS

A total of 154 patients undergoing cardiac surgery in northern Taiwan were recruited using a longitudinal study design and interviewed using structured questionnaires assessing physical activity, anxiety and depression, and social support before surgery and at 1 month and 3 months after surgery.

RESULTS

The prevalence of frailty in patients undergoing cardiac surgery was 16.2%, 20.5%, and 16.6% before surgery and at 1 month and 3 months after surgery, respectively. Frail and prefrail patients undergoing cardiac surgery were more likely to be unemployed, have gout, have a higher New York Heart Association class, have preoperative dysrhythmia, undergo cardiopulmonary bypass, have a lower functional ability, have a higher European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score, have a longer anesthesia time, have longer endotracheal tube and extracorporeal circulation times, have longer intensive care unit and hospital stays, have lower hemoglobin and albumin levels, have higher anxiety and depression levels, and have lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores. The significant predictors of prefrailty and frailty included unemployment, the presence of gout, higher New York Heart Association classes, less independence in activities of daily living, lower hemoglobin levels, and higher levels of depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty was associated with patients' functional status, perioperative conditions and psychosocial factors. Preoperative assessments of frailty and appropriate interventions are needed to improve frailty in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.