title: Prevalence of symptoms in a community-based sample of heart failure patients.
abstract: This study explored the prevalence and burden of symptoms in a community-based sample of patients aged >60 with symptomatic heart failure. Five hundred forty-two patients were recruited from UK general practices. Participants completed the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire every 3 months for 2 years. Data are presented at baseline alongside findings from in-depth interviews with patients and focus groups with primary care professionals. Over half the participants experienced breathlessness and/or fatigue daily. Factors identified as predictive of symptom prevalence and burden were as follows: being female; being staged at New York Heart Association Class III or IV; having symptoms of depression; and having two or more comorbidities. Interviews identified other symptoms, including chest pain, nausea, sleep disruption, and confusion. Participants felt that symptoms restricted activities of daily living. Health professionals reported symptom control as being a concern of patients and identified their own educational needs in this area. Findings suggest that symptom prevalence and burden for this population is high. Primary care professionals should offer comprehensive assessment and treatment of symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Sheffield Institute for Studies on Ageing, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom. s.barnes@sheffield.ac.uk
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: Merryn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gott
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Seamark
authors.forename: Salah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gariballa
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Small
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D003625:Data Collection; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology