Cognitive impairment in patients with chronic heart failure and its impact on adherence to treatment

To evaluate cognitive impairment in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and its impact on treatment adherence. The study included 120 hospitalized patients with CHF regardless of left ventricular ejection fraction aged from 20 to 79 years with different etiology of CHF. All patients underwent complex neuropsychological testing to determine the presence and severity of CH, psychoemotional status, as well as adherence to treatment and quality of life. After 6 months, the group of patients who came for a follow-up visit was re-evaluated for these indicators. The first group of patients was compared with the second group of patients who did not come for a follow-up visit after 6 months, although the conditions of the study were explained to all single patients. Out of 120 patients, 28 (23.3%) patients came for a follow-up visit, 3 (2.5%) patients died, the rest of the study participants [89 (74.2%) patients] - refused a face-to-face visit to the physician. On MoCA after 6 months, patients showed a higher mean score of 23.89±2.67 (p=0.003). Percentage-wise, 53.6% of patients showed improvement in cognitive functioning scores. Group 1 patients (n=28) demonstrated a medium relationship between treatment adherence on the Morisky-Green questionnaire and RBM-7 (r=-0.532) in contrast to group 2 patients (n=89) who demonstrated a weak relationship (r=-0.283). The complex relationship between CHF and cognitive impairment emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to patient care. Patients who demonstrate high compliance and good subjective assessment of their cognitive functioning, although some cognitive functions are reduced, are the most motivated to comply with the doctor's recommendations and follow-up.