Aim:

To determine the effects of a nurse-led intervention designed to improve self-management of patients with heart failure in a primary health care setting regarding health-related quality of life and depression.

Methods:

Patients at eight primary health care centres were screened by the Diagnosis Related Groups registry for the diagnosis of heart failure and eligibility for a cluster randomised study. A total of 153 patients were included (n = 78 in the intervention group, 54% males, mean age 79 years, 59% in New York Heart Association class III-IV). The intervention involved patient and family education about heart failure and self-management and monthly telephone follow-up during 12 months by a primary health care nurse.

Results:

The effects of the nurse-led intervention were limited. Significant differences were found in the physical dimension measured by the SF-36 health survey, and in depression measured by the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale. In comparison within groups at the 3 and 12-month follow-up, the intervention group significantly maintained their health-related quality of life measured by the SF-36 health survey, and their experience of depression measured by the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale to a greater extent than in the control group, especially among women.

Conclusion:

A nurse-led intervention directed toward patients with heart failure in a primary health care setting resulted in limited effects between the groups, although the physical and mental status were retained during 12 months of follow-up to a greater extent than in the control group.