Shortness of breath, fatigue, and well-being in patients with heart failure: a daily trend analysis over 12 weeks

Patients with heart failure (HF) can experience acute deterioration in symptoms of shortness of breath (SoB) and fatigue that often lead to hospitalizations. The purpose of the study was to perform a trend analysis over 12 weeks to understand the association between the intensity of HF symptoms (SoB and fatigue) and well-being in patients with HF.

This longitudinal study used data from the HF-Wii study with daily reporting of SoB, fatigue, and well-being using a visual analogue (1–10) scale. The analysis included daily trending of symptoms and well-being. Overall sample means and correlations between symptoms and well-being were analysed. A subgroup of participants with high-symptom intensity (reporting ≥5 for SoB and/or fatigue for at least 21 days) was created to highlight the profiles of participants with a higher symptom burden. Group differences were analysed using a t-test. A total of 141 participants (age 67.6 ± 11 years; males 67%; New York Heart Association Class II 65%) with complete 12 weeks of daily data were identified. Symptom intensity experienced by the overall sample was 3.48 ± 2.37 for SoB and 3.59 ± 2.37 for fatigue. Overall well-being was 6.17 ± 1.86. Significant differences (P < 0.001) were found between the high-symptom intensity (n = 29) and low-symptom intensity (n = 121) groups for SoB, fatigue, and well-being. The high-symptom intensity group consisted of a larger proportion of participants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral vascular disease, and cancer.

Daily symptoms of SoB and fatigue experienced by patients with HF are directly correlated with overall daily well-being.