title: Investigating pain in heart failure patients: rationale and design of the Pain Assessment, Incidence & Nature in Heart Failure (PAIN-HF) study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Heart failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and is increasing in prevalence. Treatments for heart failure permit a growing number of persons to live with the illness for many years. The burden of symptoms in persons with advanced heart failure is high. Fatigue, limited exertion, dyspnea, and depression are commonly associated with heart failure, but pain is common as well.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although it is known that underlying comorbidities modify the response to and experience of pain, the interaction between pain and the clinical syndrome of heart failure has not been studied to date. The Pain Assessment, Incidence & Nature in Heart Failure (PAIN-HF) study will evaluate pain in patients with advanced heart failure. Specifically, PAIN-HF will examine the anatomical location of pain, prevalence of pain, its association with aspects of patients' heart failure and comorbid conditions, and its relation to interventions and medications to treat pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study to identify the nature, incidence, and character of pain is an important step in relieving distress and discomfort in persons with heart failure.
authors.affiliation: Patient-centered Education and Research, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Goodlin
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wingate
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Pressler
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Teerlink
authors.forename: C Porter
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Storey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index