1. Thirst distress in outpatients with heart failure in a Mediterranean zone of Spain
- Author
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Hagelberg Eng, Sanna, Waldreus, Nana, Gonzalez, Beatriz, Ehrlin, Jenny, Diaz, Violeta, Rivas, Carmen, Velayos, Patricia, Puertas, Maria, Ros, Alba, Martin, Paula, Lupon, Josep, Bayes-Genis, Antoni, Jaarsma, Tiny, Hagelberg Eng, Sanna, Waldreus, Nana, Gonzalez, Beatriz, Ehrlin, Jenny, Diaz, Violeta, Rivas, Carmen, Velayos, Patricia, Puertas, Maria, Ros, Alba, Martin, Paula, Lupon, Josep, Bayes-Genis, Antoni, and Jaarsma, Tiny
- Abstract
Aims This study aimed to evaluate psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Thirst Distress Scale for patients with Heart Failure (TDS-HF) and to describe thirst distress-associated factors in outpatients at a heart failure (HF) clinic in Spain. Thirst is common in patients with HF, but thirst distress has rarely been addressed and may significantly decrease quality of life. Methods and results A cross-sectional study was performed assessing perceived thirst distress by patients with HF during the preceding 3 days, with the TDS-HF (scores 8 to 40). Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to identify variables independently associated with thirst distress. Three-hundred two HF outpatients were included (age 67 +/- 12 years, 74% male, HF duration 82 +/- 75 months, left ventricular ejection fraction 42 +/- 14%). Most patients were on treatment with fluid restriction (99%), sodium restriction (99%), and diuretics (70%). The psychometric evaluation of the Spanish version of the TDS-HF showed satisfactory item-total and inter-item correlations (range from 0.77 to 0.85 and 0.60 to 0.84, respectively), and internal consistency was 0.95 (Cronbachs alpha). The majority perceived mild to moderate thirst distress, and 18% perceived it as high or severe. The mean score obtained was 16.2 +/- 9.3 (median 13, Q1-Q3 8-20). Higher serum urea {beta coefficient 1.6 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.267 to 2.92], P = 0.019} and lower potassium [beta coefficient -3.63 (85% CI -6.32 to -0.93), P = 0.009] remained significantly associated with thirst distress in the multivariable analysis, together with the dose of diuretics [beta coefficient 2.98 (95% CI 1.37 to 4.59), P < 0.001]. Treatment with angiotensin receptor blocker showed an independent protective effect [beta coefficient -3.62 (95% CI -6.89 to -0.345), P = 0.03]. Conclusions The psychometric evaluation of the Spanish version of the TDS-HF showed good psychometric properties. One i
- Published
- 2021
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