The effects of palliative care on patients with different classes heart function: A pilot study.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to explore effects of palliative care (PC) on patients with different heart function. Patients with NYHA (New York Heart Association) class II, III, IV were divided into separate groups. The KCCQ (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire) and HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) scores were compared before and 3 months after PC intervention. After 3 months, compared with the control group, PC could further significantly improve the KCCQ, HADS-depression and -anxiety scores of patients in NYHA class IV (P < 0.05); PC could significantly improve the HADS-depression and -anxiety scores of patients with NYHA class III (P < 0.05), and had an improvement tendency on KCCQ score. The study revealed that PC can significantly improve anxiety and depression of patients with NYHA class III or IV, and significantly improve the quality of life of patients with NYHA class IV, but had no effects on patients with NYHA class II.