Social and therapeutic decline earlier than physical and psychological domains after discharge in heart failure patients: A patient-reported outcome measurements of latent transition analysis

Physical activity changes and related factors in chronic heart failure patients during the postdischarge transition period: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA) is essential and effective for chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. A greater understanding of the longitudinal change in PA and its influencing factors during the postdischarge transition period may help create interventions for improving PA. The aims of this study were (1) to compare the change in PA, (2) to examine the influencing factors of PA change, and (3) to verify the mediating pathways between influencing factors and PA during the postdischarge transition period in CHF patients.

METHODS

A total of 209 CHF patients were recruited using a longitudinal study design. The Chinese version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Patient-reported Outcome Measure for CHF (CHF-PRO), and the Chinese version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Heart (TSK-Heart) were used to assess PA, CHF-related symptoms, and kinesiophobia. The IPAQ score was calculated (1) at admission, (2) two weeks after discharge, (3) two months after discharge, and (4) three months after discharge. Two additional questionnaires were collected during admission. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were fitted to identify variables associated with PA over time. We followed the STROBE checklist for reporting the study.

RESULTS

The PA scores at the four follow-up visits were 1039.50 (346.50-1953.00) (baseline/T1), 630.00 (1.00-1260.00) (T2), 693.00 (1-1323.00) (T3) and 693.00 (160.88-1386.00) (T4). The PA of CHF patients decreased unevenly, with the lowest level occurring two weeks after discharge, and gradually improving at two and three months after discharge. CHF-related symptoms and kinesiophobia were significantly associated with changes in PA over time. Compared with before hospitalization, an increase in CHF-related symptoms at two weeks and two months after discharge was significantly associated with decreased PA. According to our path analysis, CHF-related symptoms were positively and directly associated with kinesiophobia, and kinesiophobia was negatively and directly related to PA. Moreover, CHF-related symptoms are indirectly related to PA through kinesiophobia.

CONCLUSION

PA changed during the postdischarge transition period and was associated with CHF-related symptoms and kinesiophobia in CHF patients. Reducing CHF-related symptoms helps improve kinesiophobia in CHF patients. In addition, the reduction in CHF-related symptoms led to an increase in PA through the improvement of kinesiophobia.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (11/10/2022 ChiCTR2200064561 retrospectively registered).

Network analysis of symptoms, physiological, psychological and environmental risk factors based on unpleasant symptom theory in patients with chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND

Somatic symptoms and related factors in patients with chronic heart failure have been extensively researched. However, more insight into the complex interconnections among these constructs is needed, as most studies focus on them independently from each other.

AIMS

The aim of this study is to gain a comprehensive understanding of how somatic symptoms and related factors are interconnected among patients with chronic heart failure.

METHODS

A total of 379 patients were enrolled. Network analysis was used to explore the interconnections among the somatic symptoms and related risk factors.

RESULTS

The four core symptoms of chronic heart failure were daytime dyspnea, dyspnea when lying down, fatigue and difficulty sleeping. Within the network, the edge weights of depression-anxiety, subjective social support-objective social support, and subjective social support-social support availability were more significant than others. Among physiological, psychological and environmental factors, the edge weights of NYHA-dyspnea, depression-difficulty sleeping, and social support availability-dyspnea when lying down were more significant than others. Depression and anxiety had the highest centrality, indicating stronger and closer connections with other nodes.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychological and environmental factors stood out in the network, suggesting the potential value of interventions targeting these factors to improve overall health.