Measuring health status and symptom burden using a web-based mHealth application in patients with heart failure.
Dawon Baik, Meghan Reading, Haomiao Jia and 2 others
PMID 30681003WHAT IT FOUND
Worse shortness of breath, poorer physical function, and limited social activity were linked to lower health status in 168 heart failure patients reporting symptoms through an app.
These areas may be practical targets for monitoring and education.
Key findings
01The mean health status score was 49.3 on a 0 to 100 scale, where higher scores mean fewer symptoms, better function, and greater quality of life.
02Among 168 patients, New York Heart Association class IV was associated with an 11.68-point lower health status score, each 1-point higher dyspnea score with a 0.77-point lower score, each 10-point higher physical function score with an 8.9-point higher score, and each 10-point higher social participation score with a 5.8-point higher score.
03These factors explained 73% of the variation in health status scores.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study included 168 patients from a single academic medical center, so results may not apply to other settings or populations. It was cross-sectional, so it can show associations between symptoms, function, participation, and health status but cannot show cause and effect. Inpatient participants completed the reports at different points during hospital stay, and symptom experience can change during admission. Only English- or Spanish-literate adults were included, and people with dementia, active psychosis, or isolation precautions were excluded. The mHealth app was used to collect reports, not tested as an intervention that changes symptoms or health status.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest. The article's publication types list NIH and non-U.S. government research support.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that using mi.Symptoms improved health status or outcomes. This was a cross-sectional survey, so the app collected reports and the study showed associations, not cause and effect.