Health care follow- up after chronic heart failture can reduce cardiovascular events and improve quality of life

Abstract

Objective To observe the impatcts of health care follow-up after chronic heart failture on cardiovascular events and qualigy of life. Methods One hundred and sixty- six patients who were confirmed to have chronic heart failture in our hospital during February 2007 and December 2008 were enrolled in this investigation. The patients were then assigned to the health management group(n=65)or the non- health management group(n=101)and followed up for 5 years. All- cause mortality, readmission for heart failture and quality of life(SF-36 score)were evaluated. Results There was no significant difference of all- cause mortality between the two groups(health management group: 12.30%(8/65); non- health management group: 14.85%(15/101; χ2=0.22, P>0.05), although a statistically significant difference of readmission rate was found between the two groups(health management group: 12.30%(9/65); non- health management group: 35.64%(36/101; χ2=9.51, P<0.05). In health management group, the scores of SF- 36 were significantly increased at 3(114.11 ± 2.76)or 5 years(116.07 ± 15.43)when compared with baseline(91.37 ± 2.62)(χ2=102.39, P<0.05). For the non- health management group, the scores of SF- 36 were significantly decreased from 92.65±3.65 at baseline to 90.09±5.12 at 3 years or 89.08±5.71 at 5 years(χ2= 102.39, P<0.05). Conclusion Health care follow-up after chronic heart failture may not decrease all-cause mortality, although can decrease readmission rate and improve quality of life of the patients. Key words: Heart failture; Quality of life; Follow-up studies