A structured symptom assessment model for chronic heart failure is proposed to optimize care, as patient self-assessed symptoms independently predict hospitalization and mortality over 5 years.
Structured assessment of patient self-reported symptoms is crucial in chronic heart failure management as these symptoms independently predict long-term outcomes.
Symptoms in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) are the cry for help, reflecting not only the physical aspects of the disease but the impact on lifestyle, anxiety, depression and expectations of the patient. Studies consistently show a difference in patients' self-assessed functional classification compared to investigator reported NYHA classification. Moreover, patient self-assessed symptoms have recently been shown to independently predict hospitalisation and mortality over 5 years. Recognition of symptoms and appreciation of their importance justifies the use of a structured assessment in order to provide optimal medical care for patients with CHF. A model of how to structure symptom assessment equally with signs is presented in this paper.
Ekman et al. (Mon,) conducted a review in Chronic heart failure. Structured symptom assessment was evaluated. A structured symptom assessment model for chronic heart failure is proposed to optimize care, as patient self-assessed symptoms independently predict hospitalization and mortality over 5 years.
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