Fatigue in heart failure outpatients: levels, associated factors, and the impact on quality of life

Abstract

Introduction Heart failure (HF) patients experience various psychosocial issues and physical symptoms such as fatigue, which adversely affect their quality of life (QoL). The aim of the study was to assess levels of fatigue in HF outpatients and the associated factors, as well as to explore the correlation between fatigue and QoL. Material and methods One hundred and thirty patients were enrolled in the study. Data collection was performed by the completion of “Minnesota Living With Heart Failure” questionnaire (MLHFQ) and the Greek version of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS-Greek). Data also included self-reported patients’ characteristics. Results Of the 130 HF outpatients, 50% scored above 69 (median) in total fatigue and above 41 and 29 (median) in physical and mental fatigue, respectively. Furthermore, 50% scored above 66 (median) in total QoL and above 32.5 and 13 (median) in the physical and mental state, respectively. These values indicate moderate to high impact of HF on fatigue and on patients’ QoL. Total fatigue was statistically significantly associated with NYHA stage ( p = 0.001), confidence to acknowledge health deteriorations ( p = 0.004), decrease in appetite ( p = 0.001), dyspnoea at night ( p = 0.001), oedema in lower limbs ( p = 0.023), relation with health professionals ( p = 0.031), and whether patients had limited daily activities ( p = 0.002), social contacts ( p = 0.014), and if they had financial worries ( p = 0.003). Finally, as the score of fatigue increased, so the QoL score also increased. Conclusions A broader understanding of this distressing symptom in HF may contribute to the development of suitable interventions with the ultimate goal of improving QoL.

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Hospitalized patients with heart failure: the impact of anxiety, fatigue, and therapy adherence on quality of life

“…This non-specific, invisible and subjective symptom is characterized as a vicious circle since its consequences further exaggerate this experience [38,43,44]. Hopefully, understanding factors associated with fatigue will enhance individualized care and implementation of appropriate strategies [45,46]. A recent study on HF outpatients showed that fatigue was asso-ciated with NYHA stage, confidence to acknowledge health deterioration, decrease in appetite, dyspnea at night, edema in lower limbs, relations with health professionals, limitations in daily or social activities and financial worries [47].…”