The association between physical symptoms and self-care behaviours in Chinese patients who poorly manage their heart failure: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background Physical symptoms are frequently experienced by patients with heart failure and may affect their self-care. Little is known about the association between physical symptoms and self-care in heart failure patients who are not proficient in managing their illness. The study aimed to explore the association between physical symptoms and self-care behaviours in Chinese patients who poorly managed their heart failure. Methods This was a secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional study exploring factors contributing to the self-care of Chinese heart failure patients. Physical symptoms were measured with the Heart Failure Somatic Perception Scale. Self-care behaviours (i.e., self-care maintenance and management) of heart failure were measured with the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (version 6.2). Patients who reported scores < 70 on both self-care maintenance and management were eligible and included in the analysis. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed to explore the association of physical symptoms with self-care behaviours. Results In total, 189 patients were included in this analysis, with a mean age of 65, who had been diagnosed with heart failure for 24 months as the median. Most participants were classified as New York Heart Association class III or IV. Physical symptoms related to dyspnoea were most frequently reported. Severe heart failure physical symptoms were significantly related to better self-care management (β = 0.157, 95% CI: 0.010, 0.368, p = 0.039) rather than self-care maintenance (β = -0.133, 95% CI: -0.316, 0.026, p = 0.097). Conclusions Worse physical symptoms may serve as a driver of better self-care management in Chinese heart failure patients with poor self-care behaviours. Tailored care and support taking their physical symptoms into consideration should be provided to patients with different levels of self-care proficiency.