Fatigue characteristics in heart failure patients

• Grant number: 07/00895-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2007
• End date: May 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing - Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Diná de Almeida Lopes Monteiro da Cruz
• Grantee: Diná de Almeida Lopes Monteiro da Cruz
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem (EE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Fatigue is one of the most frequent symptoms of heart failure with negative influence on patients quality of life. Little is known on fatigue characteristics on heart failure patients. This descriptive study aims to study fatigue characteristics and variables that are likely associated to fatigue. The sample will be 289 outpatients in treatment for heart failure and a sub-sample compounded by family or friend of those patients without heart failure. Fatigue will be assessed by means of a tool developed for this end (DUFS e DEFS). Aditional variables will be: age, gender, heart failure functional class, physical activity, dyspnea, smoking, and pharmacological treatment. (AU)