The Effect of Dispositional Optimism on Health Outcomes in Patient with Heart Failure
Abstract
Approximately 5.8 million people in the United States are living with heart failure (HF). Although improved treatments have increased survival, the overall prevalence, economic burden, morbidity, and mortality associated with the disease remains high. Dispositional Optimism is a trait, characterized by an expectation of good rather than bad outcomes in life, has been associated with better general physical and mental health as well as improved cardiovascular disease outcomes. Just as psychosocial stressors such as depression and anxiety may exert deleterious effects, positive psychosocial factors, such as Optimism, may buffer against negative health outcomes in heart failure patients. Some studies show that levels of inflammatory cytokines are related to heart failure etiology and progression and studies have linked Optimism to lower levels of inflammatory cytokines in healthy adults. The aims of the present study are to assess the relationship of Optimism to various heart failure outcomes (symptoms, functional status, and HF-related hospitalizations), and to determined whether differences in inflammatory cytokines mediate these relationships. In this study, Optimism was measured (using the Life Orientation Test) in 125 heart failure patients (mean age = 56.7 years; 24% women) and its relationship with heart failure symptoms (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Overall Summary Score) and functional status (6 Minute Walk Test) at baseline and 3 month follow-up visit was assessed. The relationship between Optimism and likelihood of hospitalizations along with total number of heart failure hospitalizations was also assessed over a mean period of 28 months. The inflammatory cytokines c-reactive protein, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and tumor necrotic factor - alpha were also measured at baseline and 3 months and evaluated as potential mediators between Optimism and HF outcomes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 08, 2013
- Accession Number
- AD1013058
Entities
People
- Kerry S. Whittaker
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences