To explore factors relate to self-care skills for patients with coronary arterial disease in Taiwan- a preliminary study

Heart disease has been the second leading cause of death for years in Taiwan. Coronary arterial disease (CAD) is prevalent, since Taiwanese lifestyle has been changing to an overweight and inactive status. Strategies to promote self-care in patients with CAD may help to disease management for this patient population, and be decreased healthcare burden in the sociality. The purpose of this observational study was to explore what factors might relate to self-care for patients with CAD in their daily life. There were 229 CAD patients recruited from a medical center in southern of Taiwan. Majority of participants were male (87.77%) and married (85.35%). Age range were from 31 to 89 years (59.88±11.42). Three self-report questionnaires were used to assess the variables of daily self-care status, CAD symptom, and care from healthcare providers. One scale was self-development. The other two were modified from Chinese version of Seattle Angina Questionnaire and the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Disease Survey. The results indicated that there were significantly negative correlations of age with functional activity maintenance (r = -0.30) and CAD symptom management (r = -0.12), respectively, but positive relation between age and self-care needs (r = 0.16, p < 0.018). Moreover, patients with higher needs in their self-care were significantly associated with less daily self-care skills (r=-0.12 to -0.29). These preliminary findings suggest that might elder with CAD need more help to enhance their skills of self-care and CAD symptom management. Further research in a sample of patients from varied districts is warranted.