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Published on: July 21, 2023
Heart failure symptom measures: critical review
Kyoung Suk Lee1, Debra K Moser
11School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
|January 11, 2013
Summary
Current heart failure (HF) symptom measures are in early development. More research is needed to assess the psychometric properties of existing HF-specific symptom instruments for reliable clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nursing
- Health Sciences
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) management relies on accurate symptom assessment.
- Existing symptom measures may lack comprehensive validation for HF patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review and analyze heart failure (HF)-specific symptom measures.
- To evaluate the current state of HF symptom instrument development and psychometric properties.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed and CINAHL databases.
- Identification and review of symptom measures primarily designed for HF patients.
- Analysis of available psychometric properties for identified instruments.
Main Results:
- Seven HF-specific symptom instruments were identified; five had available psychometric data.
- Symptom measures varied in comprehensiveness (13-32 symptoms/signs).
- Limited data existed on reading levels, completion time, and rates; psychometric properties were not extensively reported.
Conclusions:
- HF symptom instrument development is in its nascent stages.
- Further investigation of psychometric characteristics is essential.
- No single HF-specific symptom instrument can be recommended for research or clinical practice currently.
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