Predicting Trends in Dyspnea and Fatigue in Heart Failure Patients' Outcomes.
BACKGROUND
Dyspnea and fatigue are distressing symptoms commonly seen in heart failure (HF) patients, and are closely related to patients' disease trajectory of contributes. Identifying the effect of symptom trends on disease outcomes is important to develop effective symptom management interventions in HF patients.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty-two patients were recruited. Dyspnea, fatigue, clinical characteristics, and disease outcomes were measured at the baseline assessment, three months, and 12 months. Latent class growth model and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used on dyspnea and fatigue to examine the relationship of disease trajectories and effects on disease outcomes.


RESULTS
A total of 122 patients were examined (mean age 62.8 ± 13.0 yrs; 79% male; 39% NYHA III/IV; 48% preserved systolic function HF). Three groups based on HF patients' dyspnea-fatigue trends were identified as "constant good," "recovery," and "getting worse." The cumulative incidence of a first cardiac event in both dyspnea and fatigue groups yielded similar results. The quality of life score for the getting worse group was significantly higher than that of the constant good and recovery groups. The result of the log-rank test was significant (χ(2) = 8.11, p = 0.017). Post hoc comparison showed that the prognosis status of the constant good group was better than that of the getting worse (p = 0.046) and recovery groups (p = 0.020), while getting worse and recovery groups did not differ in prognosis status (p = 0.30).


CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrate the value of tracking symptoms over time to determine symptom trajectories as well as severe baseline (even with improvements at follow-ups) or increased fatigue over time were related to a worse event-free survival as compared with low but stable fatigue.


BACKGROUND
Disease outcome; Kaplan-Meier survival analysis; Symptom trajectory.
Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan & School of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health;
Ming-Fen
MF
Tsai
National Taipei University of Nursing and Health, Taipei;
Shiow-Li
SL
Hwang
National Taipei University of Nursing and Health, Taipei;
Shiow-Luan
SL
Tsay
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital;
Chun-Li
CL
Wang
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital;
Feng-Chun
FC
Tsai
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital;
Chun-Chi
CC
Chen
Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Tsuey-Yuan
TY
Huang