The association between physical symptoms and self-care behaviours in heart failure patients with inadequate self-care behaviours: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundPatients with heart failure frequently report inadequate self-care behaviours. Physical symptoms can impact patients' ability to perform self-care behaviours. However, studies investigating the association between physical symptoms and heart failure self-care behaviours have produced inconsistent findings, potentially due to variations in the determinants of self-care behaviours among patients with differing levels of self-care proficiency. Understanding the association between physical symptoms and self-care behaviours in heart failure patients with inadequate self-care behaviours could improve care for this subpopulation. The study aimed to explore the association between physical symptoms and self-care behaviours in Chinese heart failure patients with inadequate self-care behaviours.MethodsThis analysis was based on primary data from a cross-sectional study that aimed to investigate factors associated with self-care in heart failure patients. Physical symptoms were measured using the Heart Failure Somatic Perception Scale. Self-care behaviours (i.e., self-care maintenance and management) of heart failure were measured using the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (version 6.2). Patients who reported scores < 70 on both self-care maintenance and management behaviours were eligible and included in the analysis. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed to explore the association between physical symptoms and self-care behaviours.ResultsA total of 189 patients were included in the analysis, with a mean age of 65 years and a median duration of living with heart failure of 24 months. Most participants were classified as New York Heart Association class III or IV. Dyspnoea symptoms were the most frequently reported physical symptoms. The results of the hierarchical regression analysis showed that the severity of physical symptoms was positively associated with self-care management behaviours (beta = 0.157, 95% CI: 0.010, 0.368, p = 0.039) but not significantly associated with self-care maintenance behaviours (beta = -0.133, 95% CI: -0.316, 0.026, p = 0.097).ConclusionsBased on the data collected in Changsha, China, we found that patients with HF with poor self-care experienced more dyspnoea symptoms. Severe HF physical symptoms might serve as drivers for better self-care management in patients with inadequate self-care behaviours. Effective care and support should be provided when physical symptoms worsen to facilitate patients' engagement in self-care behaviour in this subpopulation.