Older age was associated with lower evaluation and treatment quality scores in heart failure patients, with scores 19.0% lower (95% CI: -26.6 to -11.5) for patients aged ≥90 compared to those <70.
Cross-Sectional (n=371)
Does older age reduce the quality of in-hospital care in patients hospitalized for heart failure?
Older age in patients hospitalized for congestive heart failure is associated with lower quality of evaluation and treatment scores, though admission and discharge readiness scores are unaffected.
Effect estimate: -19.0% difference (95% CI -26.6 to -11.5)
BACKGROUND: Elderly patients may be at risk of suboptimal care. Thus, the relationship between age and quality of care for patients hospitalized for heart failure was examined. METHODS: A cross-sectional study based on retrospective chart review was performed among a random sample of patients hospitalized between 1996 and 1998 in the general internal medicine wards, with a principal diagnosis of congestive heart failure, and discharged alive. Explicit criteria of quality of care, grouped into three scores, were used: admission work-up (admission score); evaluation and treatment during the stay (evaluation and treatment score); and readiness for discharge (discharge score). The associations between age and quality of care scores were analysed using linear regression models. RESULTS: Charts of 371 patients were reviewed. Mean age was 75.7 (+/-11.1) years and 52% were men. There was no relationship between age and admission or readiness for discharge scores. The evaluation and treatment score decreased with age: compared with patients less than 70 years old, the score was lower by -2.6% (95% CI: -7.1 to 1.9) for patients aged 70 to 79, by -8.7% (95% CI: -13.0 to -4.3) for patients aged 80 to 89, and by -19.0% (95% CI: -26.6 to -11.5) for patients aged 90 and over. After adjustment for possible confounders, this relationship was not significantly modified. CONCLUSIONS: In patients hospitalized for congestive heart failure, older age was not associated with lower quality of care scores except for evaluation and treatment. Whether this is detrimental to elderly patients remains to be evaluated.
Michel P. Kossovsky (Tue,) conducted a cross-sectional in congestive heart failure (n=371). Older age vs. Age <70 years was evaluated on Evaluation and treatment quality of care score (-19.0% difference, 95% CI -26.6 to -11.5). Older age was associated with lower evaluation and treatment quality scores in heart failure patients, with scores 19.0% lower (95% CI: -26.6 to -11.5) for patients aged ≥90 compared to those <70.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: