Adult patients living with heart failure: Experiences and management of fatigue in everyday life - a systematic review protocol of qualitative evidence

Abstract

Review questions/objectives The objective of this systematic review is to synthesize the best available evidence related to the lived experiences and management of fatigue in everyday life in adult patients with stable heart failure (HF). Specific questions on their lived experiences include: How do patients with HF describe their experiences of fatigue? How do patients with HF perceive the impact of fatigue in everyday life? How do patients with HF manage fatigue and its consequences in everyday life? Inclusion criteria Types of participants This review will consider studies that include participants that meet the following criteria: Adult patients aged 18 years and above Non-hospitalized patients with confirmed heart failure (by echocardiography or a cardiologist) or outpatients in a heart failure clinic Exclusion criteria: Hospitalized patients i.e. patients with decompensated or acute heart failure Decompensated heart failure refers to deterioration of stable heart failure, which has led to hospital admission. Acute heart failure refers to the rapid onset of, or changes in, symptoms and signs of heart failure, which has led to urgent admission to hospital. Phenomena of interest This review will consider studies that explore the experiences and management of fatigue in everyday life among adult patients with heart failure. Context Patients’ everyday life with heart failure and fatigue. The context is the patients’ private environment. The patients’ experiences and management of fatigue must be seen in relation to factors such as age, gender, where the patient lives, the availability of family- and professional social support.