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Heart failure: the hidden problem of pain
Joy R Goebel1, Lynn V Doering, Lisa R Shugarman
1School of Nursing, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, California 90840-1006, USA. jgoebel@csulb.edu
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
|September 8, 2009
Summary
Pain is common in heart failure (HF), affecting over half of patients and often exceeding dyspnea. Factors like age, psychological state, and social well-being significantly impact pain severity in HF patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pain Management
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Dyspnea and fatigue are recognized heart failure (HF) symptoms.
- The prevalence and contributing factors of pain in HF patients are often underrecognized.
- Pain significantly impacts quality of life in individuals with chronic conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of pain in a veteran heart failure cohort.
- To identify physical, psychological, social, and spiritual factors associated with pain severity in HF.
- To understand the multifaceted nature of pain in heart failure management.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter study involving 96 veterans with heart failure.
- Utilized Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Functional Morbidity Index, Patient Health Questionnaire-2, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2.
- Employed correlation and linear regression models to analyze contributing factors to pain.
Main Results:
- Over half (55.2%) of HF patients reported pain, with 37.5% experiencing moderate to severe pain.
- Pain was reported more frequently than dyspnea (71.3% vs. 61.7%).
- Age, psychological distress (depression, anxiety), social, spiritual, and physical well-being were correlated with pain severity. Interference with relationships and symptom count significantly predicted pain severity.
Conclusions:
- Pain is a prevalent and significant issue in heart failure, often more common than dyspnea.
- Pain severity in HF is influenced by a complex interplay of physical, psychological, social, and spiritual factors.
- Multidisciplinary interventions are crucial for effectively addressing the complex burden of pain in heart failure patients.
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