title: Predictors of overall perceived health in patients with heart failure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Overall perceived health (OPH) is a powerful and independent predictor of negative health outcomes and low health-related quality of life. Overall perceived health is conspicuously low in patients with heart failure (HF).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the key predictors of OPH in persons with HF and explore possible mediating relationships.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional predictive correlational study was a secondary analysis of an existing data set. Individual characteristics, biophysiological variables, physical symptoms, psychological symptoms, and physical and social functioning were identified from the Wilson and Cleary Model and tested as predictors of OPH in a 5-step hierarchical regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample (n = 265) was primarily male (64.2%) and white (61.9%), with a mean age of 62 years, and had at least a high school education and a household income enough or more than enough to meet needs. Most (69.1%) had systolic dysfunction, and 78.5% were New York Heart Association class III or IV. The final model containing 15 predictors explained 39.2% of the variance in OPH. Six variables were significant independent predictors of OPH: perceived sufficiency of income, social functioning, comorbid burden, symptom stability, race, and the interaction of gender and social functioning, the last indicating social functioning as a stronger predictor for men than for women. In a multiple mediation analysis, the effects of shortness of breath and fatigue on OPH were mediated by physical and social functioning. Gender moderated the effect of fatigue through social functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These variables explained a significant portion of the variance in OPH and can be used to target individuals at risk for low OPH and to tailor interventions. If OPH is low, a focus on patient symptoms and ability to participate in life activities is appropriate, with particular attention to social functioning in men.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, San Diego State University, California 92021, USA. bcarlson@mail.sdsu.edu
authors.forename: Beverly
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: Bunny
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pozehl
authors.forename: Melody
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hertzog
authors.forename: Lani
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Riegel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003691:Delaware; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015143:Philadelphia; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012647:Self-Assessment