Prognostic impact of diabetes mellitus in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction: a prospective five-year study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) DESIGN: A five-year prospective observational study SETTING: Population of 368 consecutive patients from 11 healthcare establishments PATIENTS: All patients hospitalised for a first episode of HFPEF in 2000 in the Somme department, France. INTERVENTIONS: Diagnosis of heart failure (HF) was validated during the index hospitalisation by two independent cardiologists. Diabetic and non-diabetic groups were compared. After discharge, patients were managed by the general practitioner or referring cardiologist. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Overall and cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS: The 96 diabetic patients (26%) were younger and had a higher prevalence of clinical coronary artery disease (CAD) than non-diabetic patients. Patients with DM had higher discharge prescription rates of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, nitrates and statins. During the five-year follow-up, 208 patients died (43.5%). DM was a potent independent predictor of five-year overall mortality (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.27 to 2.48, p = 0.001). Compared to the expected survival of the age-matched and gender-matched general population, the five-year survival of patients with DM was dramatically lower (32% vs 79%). The five-year relative survival (observed/expected survival) of diabetic patients was lower than that of the non-diabetic group (41% vs 68%). Cardiovascular causes were responsible for >60% of deaths in the DM group. DM was associated with an increased risk of death in patients with clinical CAD (HR 1.82, 95% CI 1.02 to 3.25, p = 0.04), as well as in patients without clinical CAD (HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.82, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: In patients with HFPEF, DM is a strong predictor of poorer long-term survival.