Autonomic symptoms and associated factors in patients with chronic heart failure

Autonomic disorders are common in chronic illness, and their symptoms may restrict the daily functioning of patients. However, in chronic heart failure, extensive knowledge about autonomic symptoms is still lacking. This study aims to explore self-perceived autonomic symptoms, associated factors, and their relationship with health-related quality of life in chronic heart failure.

One hundred and twenty-four patients with documented chronic heart failure (men and women; 50-86 years) and 124 sex and age-matched controls participated in this study. The participants filled validated questionnaires about autonomic symptom profile (COMPASS 31), fatigue (CIS, Checklist for individual strength), anxiety and depression (HADS, Hospital Anxiety and Depression), and health-related quality of life (SF36). Non-parametric statistics were performed to analyse the data.

Total score for autonomic symptoms was higher in chronic heart failure compared to controls [Median: 14.9; IQR: 6.2-25.1 vs. 7.3; 0-18; p < 0.001], especially for orthostatic hypotension [Median: 8; IQR: 0-16 vs. 0; 0-12; p < 0.001], vasomotor [Median: 0; IQR: 0-0 vs. 0; 0-0; p < 0.001] and secretomotor function [Median: 0; IQR: 0-4.2 vs. 0; 0-2.1; p = 0.013]. High scores for autonomic symptoms were moderate correlated with higher scores of fatigue, anxiety and depression (0.343 ≤ rs ≥ 0.420; p < 0.001) and with decreased health-related quality of life (-0.454; p < 0.01).

Autonomic symptoms, especially for orthostatic intolerance, vasomotor and secretomotor subdomains, are prevalent and are associated with fatigue complaints and poor health-related quality of life in CHF.