Abstract P347: Lower Optimism is Associated With Heart Failure Readmissions

Abstract

Introduction: Heart failure is one of the most common reasons for hospitalizations in the U.S. and within 30 days of discharge, nearly one in four patients have been readmitted. While optimism is associated with favorable cardiovascular outcomes, including incident coronary heart disease events and readmission post coronary artery bypass surgery, no data exist for the role of optimism in heart failure patients. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that optimism is associated with 30 day hospital readmission in heart failure patients. Methods: Optimism is measured using the revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) a brief, well-validated scale of optimism. This test was administered by convenience sampling to hospitalized adult (>18 years) heart failure patients to determine if low LOT-R scores (less optimistic) were associated with 30 day hospital readmission. Results: Patients in the lower quartile of optimism scores (or pessimistic) had a higher rate of all cause 30 day readmission compared with those in the highest quartile (p=0.0290). Conclusion: In a single center series of hospitalized heart failure patients, those patients with low optimism scores had a significantly higher all-cause 30 day readmission rate compared with those in the highest quartile of optimism scores. Optimism is trait-like yet may be modifiable, thus presenting an opportunity for intervention in heart failure.