Age-dependent changes in cardiac performance, motor function, QoL, and mental status in metoprolol-treated chronic heart failure patients

No previous study reports the effect of age on cardiac performance, motor function and quality of life (QoL) in Chinese chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. This single-center, prospective study enrolled CHF patients with resting heart rate (RHR) > 80 bpm, who were treated with metoprolol and were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Changes in cardiac, motor, and QoL parameters between patients aged ≥60 years and those aged <60 years were compared at all time points. P < 0.05 was considered significant. A total of 154 patients were enrolled (median age: 66.39 years; 116 aged ≥60 years, 38 aged <60 years; 95% New York Heart Association class III-IV). RHR decreased significantly in both patient groups ( P < 0.0001 for both groups). Patients aged ≥60 years had a significant improvement in both ejection fraction (EF) at 6 and 12 months and in cardiac index (CI) at 3, 6, and 12 months. However, no major difference was observed in motor function in both groups. Significantly higher SF-8 scores showed greater improvement in QoL in the <60 age group at 12 months ( P = 0.0008). Metoprolol demonstrated improvement in cardiac performance, motor function, QoL, and anxiety with increase in depression and burnout in both genders; however, the findings were independent of age.