Relationship between psychosocial variables and compliance in patients with heart failure (vol 30, pg 294, 2001)

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the socio-demographic, psychosocial, and social support variables that predict compliance to trea tment regimens in HF patients, DESIGN AND SETTING: Semistructured interviews were conducted on 82 patients at ail outpatient heart failure clinic to cather data related to complianc e behaviors. Five standardized instruments were used to gather data on pati ents' psychosocial health status and perceived social support. RESULTS: The overall compliance rate was 85.13 (10.01%). Higher levels of c ompliance (> 90%) were noted for follow-up appointments, medications, smoki ng, and alcohol cessation, Poor compliance was observed with dietary and ex ercise recommendations (71% and 53%, respectively). In a multivariate model , higher education, higher mental and physical health status, and neurotici sm independently contributed to 24% of the variance in overall compliance. CONCLUSION: The study supports that HF patients had poor compliance with di etary and exercise regimens. Since following a dietary and exercise regimen has been demonstrated to reduce morbidity in this population, strategies t o increase compliance should be rigorously pursued.