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A longitudinal comparison of healthârelated quality of life in rural and urban recipients of left ventricular assist devices
Windy W. Alonso Kenneth M. Faulkner Bunny Pozehl Judith E. Hupcey Lisa Kitko Chris Lee
Windy W. Alonso
Kenneth M. Faulkner
Bunny Pozehl
Judith E. Hupcey
Lisa Kitko
Chris Lee
Abstract
Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are a common treatment for advanced heart failure (HF) to improve ventricular function, symptoms, and healthârelated quality of life (HRQOL). Many LVAD recipients travel long distances from rural areas for LVAD implantation and followâup care. Individuals with HF in rural settings who have not undergone LVAD implantation have reported poor HRQOL. However, to date, no studies have compared HFâspecific or generic HRQOL in rural and urban LVAD recipients. The purpose of this study was to compare generic and HFâspecific HRQOL longitudinally from preimplantation to 1â, 3â, and 6â months postimplant in a cohort of rural and urban LVAD recipients (nâ=â95; rural nâ=â32 and urban nâ=â63). We measured generic HRQOL using the European Quality of Life Visual Analog Scale and HFâspecific HRQOL with the quality of life domain of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). Latent growth curve modeling identified two phases of change in generic and HFâspecific HRQOL: the initial response to LVAD between preimplantation and 1âmonth postimplant and the subsequent change between 1â and 6âmonths postimplant. Comparable improvements in generic HRQOL were noted in rural and urban LVAD recipients during both phases of change. Urban LVAD recipients had greater initial improvements in HFâspecific HRQOL (KCCQ) compared with rural recipients (13.0âÂħâ5.6, pâ=â.02), but subsequent improvements were similar among rural and urban recipients. Ongoing assessment of generic and HFâspecific HRQOL is necessary during LVAD therapy.
Keywords
healthârelated quality of life, left ventricular assist device, LVAD, rural urban
Date
2020
Type
Journal article
Journal
Research in Nursing and Health
Book
Volume
43
Issue
4
Page Range
396-406
Article Number
ACU Department
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled