Heart & Lung: The Journal of Acute and Critical Care
Volume 37, Issue 2 , Pages 122-131, March 2008

Fatigue in older adults with stable heart failure

  • Sharon A. Stephen, RN, GNP, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Sharon A. Stephen, RN, GNP, PhD, Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Legacy Health System, Legacy Good Samaritan Clinics Geriatric Medicine, 1200 NW 23rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97210.

Oregon Health and Science University School of Nursing, Portland, Oregon.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to describe fatigue and the relationships among fatigue intensity, self-reported functional status, and quality of life in older adults with stable heart failure.

Methods

A descriptive, correlational design was used to collect quantitative data with reliable and valid instruments. Fifty-three eligible volunteers completed a questionnaire during an interview. Those with recent changes in their medical regimen, other fatigue-inducing illnesses, and isolated diastolic dysfunction were excluded.

Results

Fatigue intensity (Profile of Mood States fatigue subscale) was associated with lower quality of life, perceived health, and satisfaction with life. Fatigue was common, and no relationship was found between fatigue intensity and self-reported functional status. Marital status was the only independent predictor of fatigue.

Conclusions

In stable heart failure, fatigue is a persistent symptom. Clinicians need to ask patients about fatigue and assess the impact on quality of life. Self-reported functional status cannot serve as a proxy measure for fatigue.

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 Funding for this study came from the National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, postdoctoral and predoctoral fellowships, 5 T32 NR007061-15 (Judith Kendall, Principal Investigator) Risk Assessment and Intervention Research, Oregon Health and Science University, and 5 T32 NR 007071-04 (Karin Kirchhoff, Principal Investigator) Research Training in Nursing Intervention, University of Utah.

PII: S0147-9563(07)00081-7

doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2007.03.006

Heart & Lung: The Journal of Acute and Critical Care
Volume 37, Issue 2 , Pages 122-131, March 2008

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