Effect of self-monitoring program on outcomes of heart failure: Review of literature

Aim. The aim of this literature review was to investigate the effect of self-monitoring program on outcomes of heart failure (HF).
Background. Heart Failure is a chronic and progressive disease with an increasing prevalence. Self-monitoring program may help to recognize decompensated HF symptoms and taking proper and early action. However, its potential for improvement of HF outcomes has remained unknown.
Method. In this narrative review, databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of science, Embase, and Cochrane library was used for data collection. Searching out was conducted on 27 Feb, 2017 for published articles between 1961- 2017 by the keywords "self-monitoring", "heart failure", "outcome", and their English synonyms without language limitation. Inclusion criteria were content similarity to subject under study, clinical trial study design, and self-monitoring of weight and recording it in a diary by patient with HF.
Findings. Out of 13924 retrieved articles, titles and abstracts of 8384 papers were screened for inclusion criteria. Full- text of 20 related paper were downloaded. Finally, data related to 12 papers published between 1998 to 2014 were reviewed. Outcomes of self-monitoring program included HF- related hospitalization and Emergency Department (ED) visit, mortality, self-care, quality of life and other outcomes such as disease knowledge, phone call to health care provider, Ejection Fraction (EF), HF NYHA function class, Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), and care cost.
Conclusion. Self-monitoring program has led to improve in HF outcomes. Therefore, giving weight and other symptoms self-monitoring diary beside self-care education will be recommended in order to increase patient’s engagement in his/her care.