Fear of death was present in 16% of elderly heart failure patients during deterioration and significantly correlated with anxiety and depression at 6 months (r=0.40, P<0.001).
Observational (n=145)
Effect estimate: r=0.40
p-value: p=<0.001
Abstract Aim To explore thoughts about death and perceived health status in elderly patients with heart failure during a 6month period after a deterioration needing hospitalisation. Methods A descriptive, mixed methods design was used. Health was measured with EuroQol-5D, thoughts about death with multiple choice and open questions. A total of 145 patients with New York Heart Association class II–IV heart failure, mean age 70 years, 70% males, were included. Results During deterioration, 16% of the patients were afraid of dying and 4% had this fear very often. Fear of death did not change significantly during the 6 months after deterioration. Both during deterioration (r=0.26, P0.01) and 6months later (r=0.40, P0.001), fear of death and anxiety/depression were correlated. Content analysis of the open question produced 5 categories: (1) Death as a natural part of life; (2) Death as a relief from symptoms and disability (3) Death as fearful (4) Arrangements for time after death (5) A wish for an extended life. Conclusion Elderly patients with heart failure had a lot of thoughts about death. Higher levels of anxiety/depression were correlated to fear of death. Many expressed death as a natural relief from suffering, others were afraid of pain, loss of independence and dignity.
Strömberg et al. (Thu,) conducted a observational in Heart failure (n=145). Fear of death was present in 16% of elderly heart failure patients during deterioration and significantly correlated with anxiety and depression at 6 months (r=0.40, P<0.001).
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