Self-Care Behaviors in Heart Failure Patients Using the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

AIM: This study aimed to review the self-care status of heart failure patients through the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale. METHODS: Eligible studies were retrieved by searching in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. The studies’ title, abstract, and full text were screened and selected by two researchers independently. The data were analyzed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software and a random effects model. RESULTS: A total of 7819 studies screened and 31 articles were included finally. The mean scores of self-care in studies using the 12-item questionnaire were estimated to be 32.91 ± 1.29 (95% CI: 30.38–35.44), in studies using the 9-item questionnaire it was 25.54 ± 1.45 (95% CI: 22.68–28.40), in studies using the 9-item questionnaire with standardized score (0–100), it was 62.28 ± 5.2 (95% CI: 52.08–72.47). CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that the level of self-care in heart failure patients is not satisfactory. Due to the high heterogeneity of the studies, the findings should be interpreted with caution.