Journal of Cardiac Failure
Volume 14, Issue 4 , Pages 276-282, May 2008

Investigating Pain in Heart Failure Patients: Rationale and Design of the Pain Assessment, Incidence & Nature in Heart Failure (PAIN-HF) Study

  • Sarah J. Goodlin, MD

      Affiliations

    • Patient-centered Education and Research, Salt Lake City, Utah
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Sarah J. Goodlin, MD, Institute for Health Care Delivery Research, 36 South State Street, 21st Floor, Salt Lake City, UT 84111.
    • ,
  • Sue Wingate, RN, DNSC, CRNP

      Affiliations

    • Kaiser Permanente Mid Atlantic States, Silver Spring, Maryland
    • ,
  • Susan J. Pressler, DNS, RN

      Affiliations

    • University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, Michigan
    • ,
  • John R. Teerlink, MD

      Affiliations

    • School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco and San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, California
    • ,
  • C. Porter Storey, MD

      Affiliations

    • Palliative Care, Colorado Permanente Medical Group, Denver, Colorado

Received 12 July 2007; received in revised form 16 January 2008; accepted 17 January 2008. published online 25 March 2008.

Abstract 

Background

Heart failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and is increasing in prevalence. Treatments for heart failure permit a growing number of persons to live with the illness for many years. The burden of symptoms in persons with advanced heart failure is high. Fatigue, limited exertion, dyspnea, and depression are commonly associated with heart failure, but pain is common as well.

Methods and Results

Although it is known that underlying comorbidities modify the response to and experience of pain, the interaction between pain and the clinical syndrome of heart failure has not been studied to date. The Pain Assessment, Incidence & Nature in Heart Failure (PAIN-HF) study will evaluate pain in patients with advanced heart failure. Specifically, PAIN-HF will examine the anatomical location of pain, prevalence of pain, its association with aspects of patients' heart failure and comorbid conditions, and its relation to interventions and medications to treat pain.

Conclusions

This study to identify the nature, incidence, and character of pain is an important step in relieving distress and discomfort in persons with heart failure.

Key Words: Heart failure, symptoms, pain, advanced heart failure

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 All decisions regarding this manuscript were made by a guest editor.Funding for the PAIN-HF study was received from the Mayday Fund, New York, New York.

PII: S1071-9164(08)00026-2

doi:10.1016/j.cardfail.2008.01.008

Journal of Cardiac Failure
Volume 14, Issue 4 , Pages 276-282, May 2008

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