The Burden of Symptoms and Comorbidities in Patients with Heart Failure Admitted to a Teaching Hospital in Iran, 2018-2020

Multiple symptoms and comorbidities complicate management of heart failure. Studies on the identification of comorbidities (cardiac and non-cardiac) and attention to symptom burden in Iran are limited, so the aim of this study was to evaluate the burden of symptoms and comorbidities in hospitalized heart failure patients. In the present descriptive-analytical study, data were collected from 94 patients admitted to the cardiac wards of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences from December 2018 to April 2020. Samples were entered sequentially. Edmonton (ESAS) and Charlesson tools were used for data collection (CCI). The highest frequency of comorbidities was related to coronary artery disease (heart attacks) 73 (77.7%), hypertension71 (75.5%), peptic ulcer47 (50%), valvular problems40 (42.6%) were, diabetes mellitus 30 (31.9%), kidney disease 25 (26.6%) and COPD23 (24.5%). The lowest frequency of comorbidities was related to liver disease1 (1.1%) and HIV0 (0%). The results also showed that the highest incidence of symptoms in patients with heart failure included chest pain of 6.52 ± 1.77, shortness of breath of 6.41± 1.73, anxiety of 6.22 ± 1.56 and constipation of 6.36± 1.72They were. Depression, loss of appetite, nausea, drowsiness, and lack of well-being or health were the next most common symptoms. Patients with heart failure who have multiple comorbidities (cardiac and non-cardiac), and have multiple symptoms, and in the care of these patients should be considered all aspects, including comorbidities and symptoms. We will need complex management to assist in the care and treatment of these patients.