Influence of multimorbidity and socioeconomic position on long-term healthcare utilization and prognosis in patients after cardiac resynchronization therapy implantation

Aims We aimed to investigate the influence of socioeconomic position (SEP) and multimorbidity on cross-sectional healthcare utilization and prognosis in patients after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantation. Methods We included first-time CRT recipients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% implanted between 2000 and 2017. Data and results on chronic conditions, use of healthcare services, and demographics were obtained from Danish national administrative and health registries. Healthcare utilization (in- and outpatient hospitalizations, activities in general practice) was compared by multimorbidity categories and SEP by using a negative binomial regression model. The association between SEP, multimorbidity, and prognostic outcomes was analysed using Cox proportional hazards regression. We followed 2007 patients (median age of 70 years), 79% were male, 75% were on early retirement or state pension, 37% were living alone, and 41% had low education level for a median of 5.2 [inter-quartile range: 2.2–7.3) years. In adjusted regression models, a higher number of chronic conditions were associated with increased healthcare utilization. Both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular hospital contacts were increased. Patients with low SEP had a higher number of chronic conditions, but SEP had limited influence on healthcare utilization. Patients living alone and those with low educational level had a trend towards a higher risk of all-cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.33, and aHR 1.09, 95% CI 0.96–1.24). Conclusion Multimorbidity increased the use of cross-sectional healthcare services, whereas low SEP had minor influence on the utilizations. Living alone and low educational level showed a trend towards a higher risk of mortality after CRT implantation.