title: Gender-Specific Physical Symptom Biology in Heart Failure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are several gender differences that may help explain the link between biology and symptoms in heart failure (HF).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine gender-specific relationships between objective measures of HF severity and physical symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Detailed clinical data, including left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular internal end-diastolic diameter, and HF-specific physical symptoms were collected as part of a prospective cohort study. Gender interaction terms were tested in linear regression models of physical symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample (101 women and 101 men) averaged 57 years of age and most participants (60%) had class III/IV HF. Larger left ventricle size was associated with better physical symptoms for women and worse physical symptoms for men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Decreased ventricular compliance may result in worse physical HF symptoms for women and dilation of the ventricle may be a greater progenitor of symptoms for men with HF.
authors.affiliation: Christopher S. Lee, PhD, RN, FAHA Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland. Shirin O. Hiatt, MPH, MS, RN Research Project Coordinator, School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland. Quin E. Denfeld, BSN, RN PhD Student, School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland. Christopher V. Chien, MD Assistant Professor, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland. James O. Mudd, MD Assistant Professor, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland. Jill M. Gelow, MD, MPH Assistant Professor, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland.
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Shirin O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Hiatt
authors.forename: Quin E
authors.initials: QE
authors.lastname: Denfeld
authors.forename: Christopher V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Chien
authors.forename: James O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Mudd
authors.forename: Jill M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gelow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003187:Compliance / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology; D063189:Symptom Assessment; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology