Abstract 9817: Unlocking the Mystery of Symptom Severity in Patients With Heart Failure: Depressive Symptoms and Excess Sodium Intake are Associated With Severe Physical Symptoms

Abstract

Background: The majority of patients with heart failure (HF) suffer from physical symptoms. In order to improve physical symptoms, the first step is to determine the modifiable factors associated with them. Purpose: To examine the modifiable psychosocial and behavioral factors associated with physical symptoms in patients with HF. Methods: Data on physical symptoms (Symptom Status Questionnaire-HF), psychosocial variables (depressive symptoms [Patient Health Questionnaire], perceived control [Control Attitudes Scale-Revised], and social support [Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support]), and behavioral variables (medication adherence [Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems], sodium intake [24-hour urine], and self-care management [Self-care management subscale of the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index]) were collected from 109 patients with HF (mean age 58 ± 14 years, 46% male, 59% New York Heart Association class [NYHA] II/III). Age and comorbidities were selected as covariates based on the literature. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Results: Among psychosocial variables (depressive symptoms, perceived control, and social support), only depressive symptoms were associated with physical symptoms. Among behavioral variables (medication adherence, sodium intake, and self-care management), only sodium intake was associated with physical symptoms. Those who had more severe depressive symptoms and higher sodium intake experienced more severe physical symptoms controlling for covariates (F = 11.633, R 2 = 48%, p < .001). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that improvement in depressive symptoms and reduction of dietary sodium intake are primary of HF intervention targets to improve physical symptoms.