Effect of self-management intervention on prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure: A meta-analysis.

The included trials were not blinded, so participants and staff knew which care they received. Heterogeneity was very high for self-management ability and quality of life, so pooled effects may not apply uniformly across trials. Publication bias was suggested for the readmission outcome, so the reduction may be overstated. Self-management interventions varied widely in content, delivery and duration, including education, follow-up, telephone, SMS, internet or app use, and family visits, so no single component can be identified. The included population mixed Chinese and Western patients, with cultural and clinical differences. The mortality analysis included fewer trials and patients than the readmission analysis.

Funded by Henan Province key R&D and promotion projects, a Henan Province key scientific research project, and the Yellow River Scholar Foundation of Henan University. The authors declared no commercial or financial conflicts of interest.

Do not conclude that self-management programs reduce death; mortality was not significantly different. Also do not assume a specific component such as phone calls, apps or education caused benefit, because trials used mixed self-management packages and the contribution of any single component cannot be separated.