Evaluation of Simplified Fluid Intake and Output Recording Schemes for
the Self-management in Patients with Heart Failure
Abstract
Rationale, aims, and objectives: Fluid management plays a pivotal role
for heart failure (HF) patients. Medical fluid intake and output
recording scheme by health care professional is complicated, which is
not easily conducive to carry out by HF patients for self-management at
home. This study aimed to optimize the professional fluid records for
the self-management of HF patients and evaluate the efficacy of this
simplified recording scheme of fluid intake and output. Methods: A
randomized, non-blinded and controlled trial with allocation concealment
was conducted. A total of 140 HF patients were enrolled and randomly
divided into professional recording group (PRG, n=70) and simplified
recording group (SRG, n=70). Ultimately, 129 HF patients (PRG, n=65, and
SRG, n=64) completed these experiments. Basic clinical characteristics,
days of clinical stability, clinical congestion score (CCS), Minnesota
Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and frequency of
electrolyte disturbances in these patients were collected. Results:
Compared to PRG patients, SRG patients also improved their HF symptoms
(including shortness of breath and fluid retention), and did not show
the prolonged hospitalization time after similar intravenous diuretic
treatment. Additionally, the parameters of clinical stability, CCS,
MLHFQ, electrolyte disturbances and body weight in SRG patients were not
inferior to that of PRG patients (P >0.05). Conclusions:
This simplified fluid intake and output recording scheme was safe,
efficient and non-inferior to the professional mode, which might
effectively enhance their feasibility of self-management, and improve
their quality of life in HF patients.