Clinical, Metabolic, and Behavioral Correlates of Nutritional Status in Chronic Heart Failure

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a chronic condition associated with frequent hospitalizations and impaired quality of life. Malnutrition is common in HF and is linked to adverse clinical outcomes, while self-care is an important component of HF management. This study aimed to examine the associations between nutritional status, self-care behaviors, and clinical characteristics in patients with chronic HF. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 hospitalized HF patients (mean age 75.9 ± 9.8 years; 63% men). Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and self-care using the nine-item European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour Scale (9-EHFScBS). Clinical variables included NYHA class, LVEF, comorbidities, BMI, and laboratory parameters. Comparative analyses and multivariate linear regression were performed. RESULTS: ), comorbidity burden (B = -0.401 per comorbidity), and NYHA class (NYHA III: B = -2.425; NYHA IV: B = -5.966, vs. NYHA II). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with chronic heart failure, nutritional status is associated with disease severity, metabolic parameters, comorbidity burden, BMI, and self-care behaviors. These findings support the importance of routine nutritional screening as part of comprehensive HF management.