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Use of medical resources and quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure: a prospective survey in a large Italian community hospital
Author(s) -
Albanese Maria C.,
Plewka Michal,
Gregori Dario,
Fresco Claudio,
Avon Giorgio,
Caliandro Donato,
Grassi Libero,
Rossi Paolo,
Udina Paolo,
Bulfoni Alessandro,
Colle Roberto,
Cuzzato Anna Linda,
Fioretti Paolo M.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
european journal of heart failure
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.149
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1879-0844
pISSN - 1388-9842
DOI - 10.1016/s1388-9842(99)00034-3
Subject(s) - medicine , heart failure , atrial fibrillation , quality of life (healthcare) , population , emergency medicine , cardiology , environmental health , nursing
Aims: To assess the prevalence, clinical characteristics, use of medical resources and quality of life in consecutive patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) hospitalized in a large community hospital during 3 months. Methods and results: The study group included 354 patients with CHF, admitted in the Departments of Internal Medicine (97%) and Cardiology. Median age was 78 years [72;85], 45% were males. CHF was the main diagnosis in 72%; 28% were in NYHA class III and 49% in class IV; 42% had atrial fibrillation. The median hospital stay was 8 days [5;14], in‐hospital mortality 9% in those admitted for CHF and 19% in those admitted primarily for other diseases. Patients with CHF occupied 15% of the beds; 1330 ECGs, 389 chest X‐rays, 112 echocardiograms and 10 coronary angiograms were performed. A quality of life questionnaire revealed that 82% had problems with mobility, 54% with self‐care and 88% with everyday activity. Thirty‐nine percent of patients had at least one hospitalization during the previous year. Conclusions: Ninety‐seven percent of hospitalized patients with CHF are admitted in the Internal Medicine wards and occupy 15% of beds. The majority of the patients are 72 years or older, with severe heart failure. The frequency of rehospitalization(s) and mortality rate in this population remains high. Echocardiography is performed only in 27% of patients.