Fatigue is a prevalent and severe symptom associated with uncertainty and sense of coherence in patients with chronic heart failure.
BACKGROUND
Fatigue is a common symptom in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and has a major impact on their daily life activities. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and severity of fatigue, conceptualized as a multiple dimensional symptom, and to determine the influence of sense of coherence and uncertainty on the fatigue experience in patients with CHF.


METHODS
Ninety-three consecutive patients, hospitalized with a diagnosis of CHF, completed the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory Scale (MFI-20), Cardiovascular Population Scale (CPS), and Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC) and were classified according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification criteria. Associations between selected variables were explored with multiple regression analysis.


RESULTS
The patients reported high prevalence and severity in the physical dimensions of fatigue. Uncertainty was associated positively with tiredness and reduced functional status. High age predicted reduced motivation and the ability to concentrate were affected by low SOC.


CONCLUSIONS
Fatigue is a prevalent and distressing experience in patients with CHF, where a variety of factors influence different dimensions of the fatigue experience. Recognising this, symptom management must be directed towards comprehensive assessment and a broad approach in interventions aimed at alleviating fatigue.
Falk
Kristin
K
Institute of Health and Care Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Box 457, S-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden. Kristin.Falk@fhs.gu.se
Swedberg
Karl
K
Gaston-Johansson
Fannie
F
Ekman
Inger
I
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D035501:Uncertainty