Heart failure awareness in the Korean general population: Results from the nationwide survey

Abstract

Background For a better heart failure outcome, it is fundamental to improve the awareness of heart failure at the general population level. We conducted this study to identify the current status of awareness of heart failure in the Korean general population. Methods This cross-sectional nationwide survey recruited a total of 1,032 participants aged 30 years or older, based on a stratification systematic sampling method. A 23-item questionnaire was surveyed through telephone interviews. Results Although 80% of the participants had heard of heart failure, 47% exactly defined what heart failure is. A minority of participants correctly recognized the lifetime risk of developing heart failure (21%) as well as the mortality (16%) and readmission risk (18%) of heart failure and the cost burden of heart failure admission (28%). Regarding preferred treatment options, 71% of the participants chose a treatment option that could improve the quality of life. Approximately two-thirds of the participants agreed that current medical treatment could reduce mortality and improve the quality of life. More than half of the participants (59%) thought that heart failure patients should live quietly and reduce all physical activities. Across survey items, we found a lower awareness state in the elderly groups and people at lower income and educational levels. Conclusions The current awareness status of heart failure in the Korean general population is still low. Proactive educational efforts should be made to improve public awareness with special attention to individuals with lower disease awareness.

Factors Associated with Low Awareness of Heart Failure in the General Population of Korea

“…Azhar et al 16) addressed that low HF awareness was associated with male sex, non-Hispanic race and low educational level; however, the number of the subjects enrolled was small (n=182), study participants were limited to the elderly, and multivariable analysis was not performed. In our previous study, 12) several survey questions were analyzed in respect to the socio-economic factors; however, only few survey items were addressed separately with univariable comparisons. In this context, we believe that the present study is valuable and noteworthy in that it summed 15 scorable survey questions and focused on clinical factors associated with low HF awareness using multivariable analysis.…”

“…The design of the study has previously been published. 12) This telephone survey with the general public across the country was conducted between September 19 and October 29 of 2018. The telephone interviews were conducted by a research company (Megaresearch, Seoul, Korea).…”

“…The details of the survey have already been published. 12) Briefly, a draft questionnaire was developed by the publicity committee of the Korean Society of Heart Failure. Among the survey questionnaires used in the previous studies, 8)9)14)15) the appropriate ones were selected and revised, and several new questions reflecting local factors were added.…”

“…In Asia, HF patients also continue to grow and health care costs are increasing, but no study of HF awareness has been conducted except for one of our studies. 12) Recently, our group published an article on HF awareness in the general population of Korea, and showed that the public's HF awareness was still low. 12) To be more specific, although 80% of the participants had heard of HF, only 47% exactly defined what HF was.…”

“…12) Recently, our group published an article on HF awareness in the general population of Korea, and showed that the public's HF awareness was still low. 12) To be more specific, although 80% of the participants had heard of HF, only 47% exactly defined what HF was. A minority of participants correctly recognized the lifetime risk of developing HF (21%) as well as the mortality (16%)/readmission risk (18%) of HF and the cost burden of HF admission (28%).…”