Lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life among chronic heart failure patients: suggested nursing educational brochure
Wafaa Ramadan Ahmed, Sahra Zaki Azer and Shimaa Elwardany Aly
Up to 50% of chronic heart failure patients suffer from lower urinary tract symptoms; urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence are extremely bothersome, while nocturnal symptoms may disrupt sleep and quality of life. The medications are used to treat heart failure may also indirectly provoke or exacerbate urinary symptoms.
Aim of the study: to determine the prevalence of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms among chronic heart failure patients and its impact on their quality of life.
Patients and Methods: Cross-sectional research design was utilized in this study. The study sample was composed of two hundred adult patients attending cardiac outpatient clinics male and female; at Assuit University Hospital. Tools: Data collected by utilizing the designed interview questionnaire sheet that included demographic data, assessment of lower urinary tract symptoms and World health organization quality of life scale. The study was done in a period of sex months from November 2017 to April 2018.
Results: The results revealed that 72% of the patients have nocturia and 70% of them suffering from frequency urination and urgency followed by 48%, 44%, & 41% of patients suffering from double voiding, intermittent flow of urine, and urinary incontinence respectively; While 38% & 27% of them have hesitancy, and a weak flow stream. In the relationship between quality of life and urinary tract symptoms, there was a strong correlation (r=0.89) and statistically significant difference at p. value <0.01.
Conclusion: Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms have a great effect on the quality of life among patients with chronic heart failure.
Recommendation: Chronic heart failure patients should be provided with sufficient information about lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and how to cope with it to improve their quality of life.