The association between self-reported sleep quality and self-care in adults with heart failure : A cross-sectional study

Background
Sleep disturbance is one of the most common symptoms among patients with heart failure (HF), and it may affect the ability of patients to perform self-care. There is a lack of evidence on the association between sleep quality and its components and self-care in adults with HF.

Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between sleep quality and its components and self-care in adults with HF.

Methods
This study is a secondary analysis of baseline data from the MOTIVATE-HF study, a randomized controlled trial on patients with HF and their caregivers. Only patients' data were analyzed in this study (n = 498). Sleep quality and self-care were evaluated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index v6.2, respectively.

Results
A habitual sleep efficiency of 75% to 84% was associated with lower self-care maintenance compared with a habitual sleep efficiency of 85% or greater (P = .031), as was taking sleep medications once or twice a week compared with less than once a week (P = .001). A frequency of daytime dysfunction less than once a week was associated with lower self-care management compared with a frequency of daytime dysfunction of 3 or more times a week (P = .025). Taking sleep medications less than once a week was associated with lower self-care confidence compared with taking sleep medications 3 or more times a week (P = .018).

Conclusion
Poor sleep quality is frequently reported by patients with HF. Sleep efficiency, sleep medications, and daytime dysfunction may influence self-care more than the other sleep quality components.