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Thirst and factors associated with thirst in hospitalized patients with heart failure in China
Jinghuan Gong1, Nana Waldréus2, Sanlian Hu1
1Department of Nursing, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.
Insights
Heart failure patients in China experience significant thirst. Factors like medication and comorbidities, not physiological markers, are linked to thirst intensity, highlighting a need for better clinical awareness.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Symptom Management
- Patient Experience
Background:
- Thirst is a distressing symptom for heart failure (HF) patients, increasing their burden.
- Understanding of thirst in Chinese HF patients remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe thirst intensity, distress, frequency, and duration in hospitalized HF patients in China.
- To identify factors associated with thirst intensity in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in two Shanghai hospitals.
- Data collected via questionnaires on sociodemographics, clinical data, and thirst (VAS, Thirst Distress Scale).
- Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.
Main Results:
- 431 HF patients participated; mean thirst intensity was 47 mm, mean distress was 21.
- 75% reported moderate to severe thirst intensity, 73% moderate to severe distress.
- Associated factors included omeprazole, renal insufficiency, coronary heart disease, high NYHA class, and low room humidity; no link found with ProBNP.
Conclusions:
- HF patients experience intense thirst, often unrecognized by healthcare professionals.
- Clinical attention to thirst symptoms and risk factors is crucial for patient comfort.
- Targeted interventions for patients with identified thirst risk factors are recommended.
Background:
Thirst is a distressing symptom and increases burden of the patients with heart failure (HF). Knowledge about thirst in HF patients is still not clear in China.
Objective:
To describe thirst intensity, distress, frequency, and duration and to identify factors associated with thirst intensity in hospitalized HF patients in China.
Methods:
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in two public hospitals in Shanghai, China. Patients were recruited in cardiology wards. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected by the social-demographic and disease-related questionnaire. Thirst was assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS, 0-100 mm), Thirst Distress Scale for HF patients (scores 8 to 40) and three questions about thirst frequency and duration. Anxiety and depression were measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.
Results:
Four hundred and thirty-one patients participated in this study. Their mean (SD) thirst intensity was 47 (±22) mm, and the thirst distress was 21(±4). It was found that 75% patients had moderate to severe feeling in thirst intensity and 73% in distress. Most patients experienced thirst several times a week (33%) or several times a month (38%). Most patients (88%) felt thirst for one hour or less. The most intense thirst occurred in the morning (26%), afternoon (19%) and before sleeping (16%). Factors associated with thirst were omeprazole, renal insufficiency, coronary heart disease, high NYHA class and low room humidity. No links were found between physiological indicators of HF (ProBNP) and thirst.
Conclusions:
HF patients have strong sense of thirst. However, it is rarely identified by healthcare professionals. It is crucial for healthcare providers to keep an eye on patients' thirst symptoms. More attention should be paid to patients with thirst risk factors to minimize the discomfort of thirst.
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