[Factors influencing functional status in patients with heart failure].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that influence the functional status of patients with heart failure.


METHODS
A descriptive, correlational study design was used. The participants in this study were 260 patients with heart failure who were admitted at Y University and U University in Seoul, Korea. Between September 2005 and December 2005 data was collected by an interview using a questionnaire and from medical records. The Functional status was measured with KASI. Physical factors (dyspnea, ankle edema, chest pain, fatigue, and sleep dysfunction), psychological factors (anxiety and depression), and situational factors (self-management compliance and family support) were examined.


RESULTS
In general, the functional status, anxiety, depression, self-management compliance, and family support was relatively not good. The level of fatigue was highest and the level of ankle edema was lowest for physical symptom experiences. In regression analysis, functional status was significantly influenced by dyspnea(23%), age(13%), monthly income(7%), fatigue(3%), ankle edema(2%), depression(1%), and length of stay in the hospital(1%). These factors explained 50% of the variables in the functional status.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that psycho-physiological symptoms management should be a focus to improve the functional status in patients with heart failure.
Song
Eun-Kyeung
EK
College of Nursing, Yonsei University, 134, Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea. kkaesora@hanmail.net
Kim
Cho-Ja
CJ
Yoo
Il-Young
IY
Kim
Gi-Yon
GY
Kim
Ju-Hyeung
JH
Ha
Jong-Won
JW
D000342:Affective Symptoms; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011584:Psychology; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires