Length of hospital stay and associated factors among heart failure patients admitted to the University Hospital in Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background A prolonged length of hospital stay during heart failure-related hospitalization results in frequent readmission and high mortality. The study was aimed to determine the length of hospital stays and associated factors among heart failure patients. Methods A prospective hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the length of hospital stay and associated factors among heart failure patients admitted to the medical ward of the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from January 2019 to June 2020. Multiple linear regression was used to identify factors associated with length of hospital stay and reported with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI). P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant to declare the association. Result A total of 263 heart failure patients (mean age: 51.08 ± 19.24 years) were included. The mean length of hospital stay was 17.29 ± 7.27 days. Number of comorbidities (B = 1.494, p < 0.001), admission respiratory rate (B = -0.242, p = 0.009), serum potassium (B = -1.525, p = 0.005), third heart sound (B = -4.118, p = 0.005), paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (B = 2.494, p = 0.004), causes of acute heart failure; hypertensive heart disease (B = -6.349, p = 0.005), and precipitating factors of acute heart failure; infection (B = 2.867, p = 0.037) were significantly associated with length of hospital stay. Number of comorbidities, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and precipitating factors of AHF specifically infection were associated with a prolonged length of hospital stay. Conclusion Heart failure patients admitted to the medical ward had prolonged hospital stays. Thus, clinicians would be aware of the clinical features contributing to the longer hospital stay and implementation of interventions or strategies that could reduce the heart failure patient’s hospital stay is necessary.

Acute Decompensated Heart Failure in the Elderly: An Observational Study in a Regional Victorian Hospital

“…While our t-test results indicated a statistically significant longer LOS for females compared to males, this association was not corroborated by our multiple linear regression analysis. These findings are partially consistent with those of Tigabe et al in Ethiopia in 2021, who reported an increased LOS among female patients [13]. In contrast, the Aurora Study in 2020 demonstrated that being male was associated with increased LOS [14].…”

Correlation of ECHO findings with duration of hospital stay in heart failure patients

“…Studies conducted in Ethiopia and in the US also corroborate that patients with a prolonged length of stay were more likely to have a higher number of comorbidities. [15][16][17]…”

Prognostic Factors for Prolonged In-Hospital Stay in Patients with Heart Failure

“…However, some other predictors that extend in-hospital stay were found in the previous studies, such as older age [ 10 ], present IDA [ 29 , 30 ], type 2 diabetes mellitus [ 9 , 31 ], chronic pulmonary disease [ 20 , 32 ], a number of present comorbidities [ 11 , 33 ], higher BMI [ 9 ], presence of edema on admission [ 19 ], hypoxia (<90%) on admission [ 32 ], poor NYHA functional class [ 24 , 34 ], hypoalbuminemia [ 15 , 24 , 34 ], hyponatremia [ 10 , 20 ], higher levels of uric acid [ 9 ], higher BUN [ 9 , 10 ], greater inferior vena cava diameter [ 10 ].…”