Key result
Among 4 heart failure inpatients, fluid restriction self-care was experienced as unpleasant and challenging, driven by unrelenting thirst, dry mouth, and confusion about the treatment rationale.
Why the study?
What are the experiences and factors affecting adherence to fluid restriction self-care in heart failure patients?
What are the experiences and factors affecting adherence to fluid restriction self-care in heart failure patients?
Fluid restriction in heart failure is highly distressing for patients due to thirst and poor understanding of the rationale, highlighting the need for better symptom alleviation and patient education.
Fluid restriction challenges in heart failure merit targeted thirst relief and education; this Level 5 evidence leaves open effective adherence strategies.
Objectives: Daily fluid restriction reduces fluid retention and therefore lessens the symptom burden of heart failure but the literature shows that adherence is sub-optimal. The objectives of the current study were to understand patients' experiences of fluid restriction self-care and identify factors affecting adherence. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four inpatients. Data were interpreted using the World Health Organization's dimensions affecting adherence; these dimensions were patient-related, condition-related, therapy-related, health system/team-related and socioeconomic-related. Findings: Fluid restriction self-care was unpleasant and challenging. The most commonly reported factors were in the therapy-related dimension, and included unrelenting, uncomfortable thirst and dry mouth, which were a cause of significant distress. Patients reported unease about the complexity of the condition, misunderstood the treatment rationale and were confused about the benefit of adherence. Conclusions: The current study supports the current consensus that self-care for long-term conditions is complex and challenging. More patient-focused research is advised to address difficulties in adhering to fluid restriction. Improvement in thirst and dry-mouth alleviation strategies is needed.
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Woods et al. (2018) studied Heart failure (n=4). Fluid restriction was evaluated on Experiences of fluid restriction self-care and factors affecting adherence. Among 4 heart failure inpatients, fluid restriction self-care was experienced as unpleasant and challenging, driven by unrelenting thirst, dry mouth, and confusion about the treatment rationale.
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