Key Points
- To determine whether sociodemographic variables, discharge disposition, and laboratory markers predict 90-day rehospitalization across age groups in hospitalized heart failure patients.
- Retrospective chart review of patients admitted with heart failure in 2007 (N = 809; mean age 68 years, 38% partnered, 44% white).
- Multivariable analyses evaluating predictors of 90-day readmission stratified by age (<65 years vs. ≥65 years), adjusting for discharge disposition and serum creatinine.
- Overall, 32% of patients (n = 261) were rehospitalized within 90 days of discharge.
- Unpartnered status independently predicted higher 90-day readmission risk for patients younger than 65 (1.8-fold risk; P = .02; 95% CI, 0.33–0.92) and patients aged 65 and older (2.2-fold risk; P = .01; 95% CI, 0.25–0.85).
- Among patients aged 65 and older, discharge to home or home with services was associated with a 2.6 times greater risk of readmission compared to discharge to a skilled nursing facility (P = .02; 95% CI, 1.20–5.56).
Structured PICO
Does the absence of a partner or discharge disposition predict 90-day rehospitalization in hospitalized heart failure patients?
PPopulation809 hospitalized patients with heart failure admitted in 2007, mean age 68, 44% white.
IInterventionAbsence of a legal partner and discharge disposition (home or home with services)
CComparatorPresence of a legal partner and discharge to a skilled nursing facility
OOutcomeRehospitalization within 90 dayshard clinical
The absence of a partner and discharge to home rather than a skilled nursing facility are significant predictors of 90-day readmission in heart failure patients, highlighting the importance of social support.