Predictors of functional independence in elderly patients with heart failure

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the functional independence predictors in elderly patients with heart failure (HF). Design and Methods: Exploratory, descriptive and transversal study with 146 elderly outpatients with heart failure referred to hospitals in São Paulo. Two instruments were used for the data collection: the Sociodemographic and Clinical Instrument and The Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses were used (Kruskal-Wallis), as well as univariate and multiple regression analyses. Results: 52.0% of the patients were males, with a mean age of 68.6 (±6.9) years and 3.4(±2.8) years of education, with 3.9 (±1.7) comorbidities, 3.5 (±1.4) symptoms, with a predominance of NYHA class I or II (65%) and 67% with decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). High FIM scores were observed, demonstrating the functional independence of the studied patients. The comparison between FIM scores and NYHA classes showed that a worse FIM score correlated with a progression in the NYHA class. The multiple regression analysis showed that the NYHA classes, years of education and age older than 80 years were predictors of functional independence, explaining 35.0% of the FIM variability. Conclusion: The variables NYHA class, age older than 80 years and higher level of education were predictors of functional independence and this fact suggests the importance of interventions that favor the detection