Symptom clusters and quality of life in Chinese patients with heart failure

Abstract

BackgroundEffective symptom assessment and management can improve quality of life in patients with heart failure. However, how psychological symptom cluster, physical symptom cluster and heart failure symptom cluster influence the quality of life of patients with heart failure remains unknown. Aims(a) To describe the symptom clusters among Chinese patients with heart failure (HF), (b) explore the relationship between symptom clusters and quality of life (QOL), and (c) detect if physical and psychological symptoms are mediators of the association between heart failure symptom and QOL. MethodsThree hundred and one patients with heart failure completed measures of symptom (MSAS), QOL and demographic and clinical characteristics. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyse the data. FindingsThe mean age of participants was 72.19 years (range 31–96 years). Each patient was approximately accompanied by an average of 11.19 symptoms (range 0–31), and the top six most common symptoms of Chinese HF patients were shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping, difficulty breathing when lying flat, lack of energy, lack of appetite and cough. Both physical symptom cluster and psychological symptom cluster were the mediators of the relationship between heart failure symptom cluster and QOL. ConclusionsThere were mediating effects of physical symptom cluster and psychological symptom cluster between heart failure symptom cluster and QOL in Chinese patients with HF. Operative assessment, management and alleviation of physical symptoms and psychological symptoms should be prioritised in symptom management strategies for the clinical caregivers.