Diary of self-monitoring of the patient as a way to increase adherence to the treatment of patients with chronic heart failure

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is the most frequent and severe complication of cardiovascular disease (CVD). One of the most important aspects of management of patients with CHF remains to ensure adherence to treatment. The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of therapy of patients with CHF with the use of a diary of self-control as a way of enhancing adherence to therapy.

Materials and methods. A continuous sequential sample was used to select 40 patients with diagnosed Heart Failure II-IV FC (NYHA), who were then randomized into two groups: the follow-up group (n = 20) and the control group (n = 20). The study duration was 8 weeks. Patients of the observation group received materials on self-control (“Diary of a patient with heart failure”). For them, 3 control visits and 8 phone calls were organized once a week. The participants of the control group were observed in the usual conditions of practical health care; 3 control visits to the doctor were provided for them.

The results obtained at week 8 of the study showed that the number of complaints of foot and Shin edema decreased by 2 times compared to the initial data; in the control group, the frequency of complaints did not have a positive dynamic. Conclusion. Use of a diary of self-control is the easiest method of improving adherence of patients with CHF to treatment.