Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Heart Failure Management in the Elderly. Focus on Health Economics and Quality of Life

Cline, Charles LU (1999)
Abstract
The incidence and prevalence of heart failure (HF) has increased successively over the past decade. Mortality and morbidity is high. It is the most common cause of hospitalisation in the elderly and has been estimated to account for 1-3% of health care costs in many countries. There is a need therefore, to improve care for HF patients. However, due to limited economic resources, this must be done with consideration for cost effectiveness issues. A retrospective analysis showed that readmission for HF was frequent in elderly patients and accounted for a significant proportion of the total cost for hospitalisation. Early discharge was associated with an increased risk of readmission within 30 days. A prospective study using in-depth... (More)
The incidence and prevalence of heart failure (HF) has increased successively over the past decade. Mortality and morbidity is high. It is the most common cause of hospitalisation in the elderly and has been estimated to account for 1-3% of health care costs in many countries. There is a need therefore, to improve care for HF patients. However, due to limited economic resources, this must be done with consideration for cost effectiveness issues. A retrospective analysis showed that readmission for HF was frequent in elderly patients and accounted for a significant proportion of the total cost for hospitalisation. Early discharge was associated with an increased risk of readmission within 30 days. A prospective study using in-depth interviews to assess compliance 30 days after discharge showed that non-compliance was common elderly HF patients. An evaluation of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in HF patients showed that HRQL was poor, compared to the general population. HRQL was more impaired in women compared to men. A prospective randomised trial of a management programme, including patient education and follow-up at an easy access, nurse outpatient clinic in HF patients showed that the programme was cost effective. Prognosis and HRQL were improved after 90 days compared to control patients. ACE inhibitors are under prescribed in HF. A health economic analysis found that increased prescription of ACE inhibitors for HF in Sweden would be cost effective. In conclusion, implementation of a management programme in HF is feasible and should be utilised in clinical practice. Inclusion of treatment guidelines in the management programme may further increase cost effectiveness. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
supervisor
opponent
  • Prof Lars Rydén, Lars Rydén, Dept. of cardiology, Karolinska sjukhuset, Stockholm
organization
publishing date
type
Thesis
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Kardiovaskulära systemet, elderly, Cardiovascular system, Heart failure, hospitalisation, health economics, compliance, quality of life, ACE inhibitor., management programme
pages
162 pages
defense location
Dept. of Medicine aula, Malmö University Hospital
defense date
1999-04-29 10:15:00
external identifiers
  • other:ISRN: LUMEDW/MEMM--1047--SE
ISBN
91-628-3475-4
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Cardiology (013242100), Emergency medicine/Medicine/Surgery (013240200)
id
4af47694-f734-4256-9583-25424cdbb3ac (old id 39520)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 14:29:00
date last changed
2023-04-25 10:54:23
@phdthesis{4af47694-f734-4256-9583-25424cdbb3ac,
  abstract     = {{The incidence and prevalence of heart failure (HF) has increased successively over the past decade. Mortality and morbidity is high. It is the most common cause of hospitalisation in the elderly and has been estimated to account for 1-3% of health care costs in many countries. There is a need therefore, to improve care for HF patients. However, due to limited economic resources, this must be done with consideration for cost effectiveness issues. A retrospective analysis showed that readmission for HF was frequent in elderly patients and accounted for a significant proportion of the total cost for hospitalisation. Early discharge was associated with an increased risk of readmission within 30 days. A prospective study using in-depth interviews to assess compliance 30 days after discharge showed that non-compliance was common elderly HF patients. An evaluation of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in HF patients showed that HRQL was poor, compared to the general population. HRQL was more impaired in women compared to men. A prospective randomised trial of a management programme, including patient education and follow-up at an easy access, nurse outpatient clinic in HF patients showed that the programme was cost effective. Prognosis and HRQL were improved after 90 days compared to control patients. ACE inhibitors are under prescribed in HF. A health economic analysis found that increased prescription of ACE inhibitors for HF in Sweden would be cost effective. In conclusion, implementation of a management programme in HF is feasible and should be utilised in clinical practice. Inclusion of treatment guidelines in the management programme may further increase cost effectiveness.}},
  author       = {{Cline, Charles}},
  isbn         = {{91-628-3475-4}},
  keywords     = {{Kardiovaskulära systemet; elderly; Cardiovascular system; Heart failure; hospitalisation; health economics; compliance; quality of life; ACE inhibitor.; management programme}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  school       = {{Lund University}},
  title        = {{Heart Failure Management in the Elderly. Focus on Health Economics and Quality of Life}},
  year         = {{1999}},
}