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Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is guideline-recommended for patients with chronic, stable heart failure (HF). Despite benefits in reducing the risk of outcomes and improved quality of life, referrals to and participation in CR are low. This study describes sociodemographic variability in referrals and participation in center-based CR (CBCR) and home-based CR (HBCR) among adults with HF in Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Methods: Adults ≥ 18 years of age with a history of HF, who were eligible for CR referral between April 2018 and April 2019 were identified. HF was defined using diagnosis codes and required to occur ≤ 30 days prior to their first CR session. Participation was defined as completing ≥ 1 session. Sociodemographics and comorbidities were described across four mutually exclusive groups: (1) no referral, (2) referral and non-participation, (3) participation in CBCR and (4) participation in HBCR. Results: Among 7, 801 adults with HF eligible for CR, the mean age was 74 years, with the majority male (58%), non-Hispanic white (50%), and English-speaking (90%), and having high burden of comorbidities including atrial fibrillation (50%), chronic kidney disease (49%), and hypertension (82%). (Table) Only 326 (4%) adults received a referral for CR, with 128 (39%) not participating, 97 (30%) participating in CBCR, and 101 (31%) participating in HBCR. Those not receiving a CR referral had the highest proportion of older individuals and comorbidities. Those referred to CR but who did not participate were most likely to be male (70%) and single (16%). Household income was highest among those participating in CBCR and HBCR (83, 000 and 80, 000, respectively, compared with overall median 77, 000) but this was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Less than 5% of eligible HF patients were referred to CR and variability by age, income, marital status, and comorbidities were noted for referrals and participation. Reducing disparities in CR utilization may improve outcomes in this high-risk group.
Mefford et al. (Tue,) studied this question.