Patients report more severe daily limitations than recognized by their physicians

Regional expert opinion: Management of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey

Although epidemiological data on heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are scarce in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT) region, Lancet Global Burden of Disease estimated the prevalence of HF in the MENAT region in 2019 to be 0.78%, versus 0.71% globally. There is also a high incidence of HFpEF risk factors and co-morbidities in the region, including coronary artery disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, anaemia and chronic kidney disease. For instance, 14.5-16.2% of adults in the region reportedly have diabetes, versus 7.0% in Europe. Together with increasing life expectancy, this may contribute towards a higher burden of HFpEF in the region than currently reported. This paper aims to describe the epidemiology and burden of HFpEF in the MENAT region, including unique risk factors and co-morbidities. It highlights challenges with diagnosing HFpEF, such as the prioritization of HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), the specific profile of HFpEF patients in the region and barriers to effective management associated with the healthcare system. Guidance is given on the diagnosis, prevention and management of HFpEF, including the emerging role of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors. Given the high burden of HFpEF coupled with the fact that its prevalence is likely to be underestimated, healthcare professionals need to be alert to its signs and symptoms and to manage patients accordingly. Historically, HFpEF treatments have focused on managing co-morbidities and symptoms, but new agents are now available with proven effects on outcomes in patients with HFpEF.

Acute Hemodynamic Index Predicts In-Hospital Mortality in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Fundamento

O exame físico permite a avaliação prognóstica de pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca (IC) descompensada, porém não é suficientemente confiável e depende da experiência clínica do profissional. Considerando as respostas hemodinâmicas a situações do tipo “luta ou fuga” tais como a admissão no serviço de emergência, foi proposto o índice hemodinâmico agudo (IHA), calculado a partir da frequência cardíaca e pressão de pulso.

Objetivo

avaliar a capacidade prognóstica intra-hospitalar do IHA na IC descompensada.

Métodos

estudo prospectivo, multicêntrico e observacional baseado no registro BREATHE, incluindo dados de hospitais públicos e privados no Brasil. Foram utilizadas análises ROC ( Receiver Operating Characteristic ), de estatística c e de regressão multivariada, assim como o critério de informação de Akaike, para testar a capacidade prognóstica do IHA. O valor-p < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo.

Resultados

Foram analisados dados de 463 pacientes com IC com fração de ejeção reduzida a partir do registro BREATHE. A mortalidade intra-hospitalar foi de 9%. A mediana do IHA foi considerada o valor de corte (4 mmHg⋅bpm). Um baixo IHA (≤ 4 mmHg⋅bpm) foi encontrado em 80% dos pacientes falecidos. O risco de mortalidade intra-hospitalar em pacientes com baixo IHA foi 2,5 vezes maior que aquele para pacientes com IHA > 4 mmHg⋅bpm. O IHA foi capaz de predizer independentemente a mortalidade intra-hospitalar na IC aguda descompensada [sensibilidade: 0,786; especificidade: 0,429; AUC (área sob a curva): 0,607 (0,540-0,674), p = 0,010] mesmo depois dos ajustes para comorbidades e uso de medicamentos [razão de chances (RC): 0,061 (0,007-0,114), p = 0,025].

Conclusões

O IHA é capaz de predizer independentemente a mortalidade intra-hospitalar na IC aguda descompensada. Esse índice simples e realizado à beira do leito pode se mostrar útil em serviços de emergência. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(1):77-86)

Psychometric Examination of the Dutch Objective Burden Inventory in Heart Failure Caregivers

BACKGROUND

Psychometric properties of the 38-item version of the Dutch Objective Burden Inventory (DOBI) have been evaluated primarily in older female caregivers, with no published studies that vary by a different gender and age distribution.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to test the construct validity and reliability of the DOBI in caregivers of individuals with heart failure from the United States and other countries.

METHODS

This secondary analysis from a cross-sectional study used an online survey. Factorial validity was tested with confirmatory factor analysis, item performance was examined with ordinal item response analysis, and convergent validity was tested correlating DOBI subscale scores with Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale scores. Internal consistency reliability was assessed with Cronbach α.

RESULTS

Item response analysis removed 14 items. Confirmatory factor analysis retained the original 4-factor solution. Original and reduced instruments demonstrated good internal consistency. Validity was supported by meaningful associations with the Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale.

CONCLUSIONS

Both the original 38-item DOBI and the reduced 24-item DOBI had support for their construct validity and internal consistency. The 24-item DOBI may be a useful alternative to the 38-item version, because it maintains psychometric properties of the original instrument while decreasing data collection burden. However, more research is needed to assess whether the shorter version is useful in assessing objective caregiving burden.

Patients report more severe daily limitations than recognized by their physicians

BACKGROUND

Patient limitations guide selection of heart failure therapies, for which indications often specify New York Heart Association Class.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the extent of patient-reported limitations during daily activities and compare to New York Heart Association class assigned by providers during the same visit, and to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) group.

METHODS AND RESULTS

While waiting for their appointment, 948 patients on return visits to an ambulatory HF clinic completed a written questionnaire assessing specific activity limitations, which were compared to physician-assigned NYHA class during the same visit. Patient-reported limitation to perform daily activity ranged from 25% for bathing to 61% for yardwork or housework and 71% for jogging or hurrying. Most patients who did not report limitations to perform daily life activities were correctly classified as NYHA I by the physicians (76%), but 12% of the 376 patients classified as NYHA I reported limitations to showering or bathing and 73% reported limitations while doing yardwork or house work. Limitation to walking was reported by 172 patients (50%) classified as class II. Limitations to walking one block were most common in patients with LVEF ≥40% compared to patients with LVEF <40%, and least commonly, in HF with better EF (improved from 31 ± 13 to 52 ± 7).

CONCLUSIONS

Activity limitations are commonly reported by ambulatory HF patients, but underestimated by physicians. It is not clear how this should guide therapy validated for NYHA class but focused activity questions may merit wider use to track limitations and improvement in ambulatory HF.