Characteristics of Older Patients with Heart Failure Readmitted due to Acute Exacerbations within the Past Year

Abstract

We aimed to examine the relationship between physical performance and readmission among older patients with heart failure (HF) over the past year. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 325 patients with HF who were aged ≥65 years and were hospitalized for acute exacerbation between November 2017 and December 2021. We investigated age, sex, body mass index, length of hospital stay, initiation of rehabilitation, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score, medications, cardiac/renal function, nutrition, maximal quadriceps isometric strength, grip strength, and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score. Data were analyzed using the χ 2 test, Mann-Whitney U test, and logistic regression analysis. Results: Altogether, 108 patients met the inclusion criteria and were divided into the non-readmission (n = 76) and readmission (n = 32) groups. The readmission group exhibited longer hospital stay, more severe NYHA class, higher CCI score, higher brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, lower muscle strength, and lower SPPB score compared to the non-readmission group. In the logistic regression model, BNP level and SPPB score were independent factors associated with readmission. Conclusion: BNP level and SPPB score were associated with readmission in patients with HF within the past year.

Effect of cognitive impairment at admission on activities of daily living at discharge in older patients with heart failure

“…HF is a leading cause of hospitalization and death among older adults worldwide, and the number of patients with HF in Japan is expected to reach 1.28 million by 2025 [1,2]. Patients with HF in Japan are characterized by advanced age, dementia, multiple comorbidities, impaired physical function and activities of daily living (ADL), and repeated hospitalizations and discharges within a short period of time [3,4].…”