Fluid management among outpatients with chronic heart failure: a cross-sectional study

Chronic heart failure (CHF) significantly impairs patients' quality of life and poses a substantial clinical burden. Fluid management is a critical aspect of self-care in CHF, particularly in out-of-hospital settings. However, the current status and factors influencing fluid management abilities among CHF patients outside the hospital remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to examine the current state of out-of-hospital fluid management in CHF patients and identify factors influencing their self-management behavior.

A total of 184 patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed questionnaires, including a general information questionnaire, the Heart Failure Weight Management Questionnaire, the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7). Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression to identify predictors of out-of-hospital fluid management ability.

The mean total score for out-of-hospital fluid management was 28.7 ± 5.4, with the highest subscore observed in weight monitoring (8.1 ± 2.1). Multiple linear regression revealed that younger age, higher educational level, lower anxiety score, fewer comorbidities, lower BMI, stronger social support, and greater self-efficacy were significantly associated with better fluid management performance (P < 0.05).

The findings indicate that fluid management ability in CHF patients is influenced by a combination of physiological, psychological, and social factors. Tailored interventions addressing these aspects are necessary to enhance self-care competence and improve prognosis in CHF patients living outside the hospital.