Management of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in a local public hospital in Hong Kong
Year: 2015
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is one of the most debilitating chronic illnesses. The prevalence is expected to increase due to aging population. The current study aimed to examine the management of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) including drug use pattern, direct medical cost and humanistic outcome in a local public hospital in Hong Kong. METHODS: The current study adopted the retrospective observational study design. Subjects were recruited from the Heart Failure Registry of the Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong between 2006 and 2008 and completed the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) at 3 designated time-points conferred eligibility. Patients with significant valvular disorder were excluded. Each patient's medical record was reviewed for 12 months after the date of admission. Heart failure related admissions, clinic visits, cardiovascular drugs, laboratory tests and diagnostic tests were documented. Costs and MLHFQ scores in patients with or without hypertension, diabetes and renal impairment were compared. RESULTS: A total of 73 HFpEF patients were included. It was found that loop diuretics (93.1%, 78.1%) was the most frequently used agent for HFpEF management in both in-patient and out-patient settings. The mean 1-year direct medical cost was USD$ 19969 (1 US $ = 7.8 HK$), with in-patient ward care contributing to the largest proportion (72.2%) of the total cost. Patients with diabetes or renal impairment were associated with a higher cost of HFpEF management. Significant difference was found in the renal impairment group (median cost: USD$ 24604.2 versus USD$ 12706.8 in no impairment group, p = 0.023). The MLHFQ scores of the subjects improved significantly during the study period (p < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The cost of management of HFpEF was enormous and further increased in the presence of comorbidities.
Source: BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
Institution: Chinese University of Hong Kong
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,090
Funder: Chinese University of Hong Kong
OpenAlex ID: W2000366788