The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that influence the functional status of patients with heart failure.

A descriptive, correlational study design was used. The participants in this study were 260 patients with heart failure who were admitted at Y University and U University in Seoul, Korea. Between September 2005 and December 2005 data was collected by an interview using a questionnaire and from medical records. The Functional status was measured with KASI. Physical factors (dyspnea, ankle edema, chest pain, fatigue, and sleep dysfunction), psychological factors (anxiety and depression), and situational factors (self-management compliance and family support) were examined.

In general, the functional status, anxiety, depression, self-management compliance, and family support was relatively not good. The level of fatigue was highest and the level of ankle edema was lowest for physical symptom experiences. In regression analysis, functional status was significantly influenced by dyspnea(23%), age(13%), monthly income(7%), fatigue(3%), ankle edema(2%), depression(1%), and length of stay in the hospital(1%). These factors explained 50% of the variables in the functional status.

These results suggest that psycho-physiological symptoms management should be a focus to improve the functional status in patients with heart failure.