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Heart failure symptom clusters and functional status – a cross‐sectional study
Author(s) -
Herr Janet K.,
Salyer Jeanne,
Flattery Maureen,
Goodloe Lauren,
Lyon Debra E.,
Kabban Christine Schubert,
Clement Dolores G.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of advanced nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.948
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1365-2648
pISSN - 0309-2402
DOI - 10.1111/jan.12596
Subject(s) - heart failure , medicine , cross sectional study , psychological intervention , cluster (spacecraft) , distress , population , psychiatry , environmental health , clinical psychology , pathology , computer science , programming language
Aim To identify symptom clusters in individuals with heart failure and evaluate the relationship of the identified clusters to functional status. Background Heart Failure is a global health problem affecting approximately 1–2% of the adult population in developed countries worldwide. Individuals with heart failure may experience as many as nine symptoms and may limit activities that worsen their symptoms or adjust the way they engage in activities. Design Cross‐sectional. Methods A convenience sample of individuals ( n = 117) with a confirmed diagnosis of heart failure was recruited from an academic medical centre during 2011–2012. Prevalent heart failure symptoms and functional status outcomes (functional limitations and mobility) were evaluated. Factor analysis using the principal components method was used to extract symptom clusters. Regression analysis using a backwards stepwise model‐building approach was used to examine the effects of the symptom clusters, age and co‐morbidity on functional limitations and mobility. Results Three symptom clusters, sickness behaviour, discomforts of illness and gastrointestinal distress were extracted. When sickness behaviours and discomforts of illness were both present, functional limitations were more sensitive to sickness behaviours. Sickness behaviour and co‐morbidity were related to limited mobility. Conclusions Individuals with heart failure may be helped to improve their functional status by managing sickness behaviour and discomforts of illness symptoms. Identification of symptom clusters may lead to the development of interventions focusing on a cluster of heart failure symptoms.