Symptom clusters and quality of life among patients with chronic heart failure: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

AimThis study aimed to identify symptom clusters among patients with chronic heart failure (HF) and examine their independent relationships with quality of life (QoL).MethodsA descriptive cross‐sectional design was adopted, and 201 Chinese participants were recruited. Their symptom profiles and QoL were assessed using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale‐Heart Failure and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the symptom clusters. Pearson's correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were conducted to examine their independent relationships with QoL.ResultsSix distinct symptom clusters were identified: the fatigue, dyspneic, discomfort, congestive, ischemic, and emotional symptom clusters. These six symptom clusters accounted for 57.508% of the variance in patient symptom experiences and were positively related to their overall QoL. Moreover, the fatigue (β = .317, p < .001), dyspneic (β = .228, p < .001), congestive (β = .363, p < .001), and emotional (β = .200, p < .001) symptom clusters independently predicted QoL.ConclusionThe six symptom clusters that were identified in this study and the relationships that they shared with QoL are expected to inform future approaches to symptom management. Interventions that target these symptom clusters will improve the QoL of patients with HF.

The prognostic impact of symptom clusters in patients with heart failure: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Four studies detected the impact of the dyspnoeic symptom cluster on HRQoL ( n = 2), re‐hospitalization and/or mortality ( n = 2). Two cross‐sectional studies consistently identified the moderate association between higher distress in the dyspnoeic symptom cluster and poorer HRQoL among hospitalized HF patients (Hu et al, 2020; Yi et al, 2018). Among these studies, the one which predominately recruited advanced HF patients (91.1%) showed even more prominent impact of dyspnoeic symptom cluster (Yi et al, 2018).…”

“…Finally, 13 articles corresponding to 12 studies were included in the review (Denfeld et al, 2020;Herr et al, 2015;Hertzog et al, 2010;Hu et al, 2020;Huang et al, 2018;Lee et al, 2014;Lee et al, 2010;Salyer et al, 2019;Smith et al, 2009;Son & Won, 2018;Song et al, 2010;Yi et al, 2018;Yu et al, 2016).…”

“…Studies were then excluded when they did not focus on symptom clusters ( n = 7), recruited subjects other than HF patients ( n = 1) or did not focus on identifying the impact of symptom clusters on clinical outcomes ( n = 12). Finally, 13 articles corresponding to 12 studies were included in the review (Denfeld et al, 2020; Herr et al, 2015; Hertzog et al, 2010; Hu et al, 2020; Huang et al, 2018; Lee et al, 2014; Lee et al, 2010; Salyer et al, 2019; Smith et al, 2009; Son & Won, 2018; Song et al, 2010; Yi et al, 2018; Yu et al, 2016).…”

The effect of educational intervention based on Pender's health promotion model on quality of life and health promotion in patients with heart failure: an experimental study

“…Not only do clinical manifestations of this disease (i.e. shortness of breath, limb swelling, and decreased tolerance to activities of daily living associated with the chronic nature of the disease) negatively affect the biological, social, economic, and psychological dimensions of patients' lives [ 7 ] and drain the financial sources of healthcare systems [ 8 ], but also they can considerably lower patients' Quality of Life (QOL) [ 9 ]. In this regard, poor QOL leads to prolonged length of hospital stay, increases the mortality rate, and imposes high costs to the health system, patients, and their families.…”

“…On the other hand, QOL is one of the concepts closely related to nursing and nurses have always striven to improve the patients' QOL through the provision of health care and participation in nursing research projects [ 17 ]. Despite that medical advances have improved patients' health outcomes, nurses still have to play their particular roles alongside [ 8 ].…”