Heart failure--related mortality and hospitalization in the year following admission to a long-term care facility: the geriatric outcomes and longitudinal decline in heart failure (GOLD-HF) study.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is common in long-term care facilities (LTCs). This study compared mortality and hospitalization rates and examined predictors of these outcomes among new LTC residents with and without HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: This prospective cohort study followed 546 newly admitted residents from 42 LTCs for up to 1 year. Health information was collected from participant and caregiver interviews, physicians' records, diagnostic procedures, and hospitalization records. Multivariate logistic regression modeling determined predictors of hospitalization among residents, and Cox proportional hazards regression determined predictors for time to mortality. HF prevalence was 21.4%. The sample was predominantly (>70%) female, and individuals with HF were significantly older with higher prevalence of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Overall annual mortality and hospitalization rates were 24% and 27%, respectively. Among residents with HF, 42% died and 31% were hospitalized within 1 year. Among residents with HF, use of major tranquilizers was the strongest predictor of sooner mortality; use of anticoagulants and major tranquilizers also increased mortality risk, whereas higher baseline function was associated with longer time to mortality. History of peripheral vascular disease was the strongest predictor of hospitalizations among residents with HF, and use of antiplatelet agents and history of any smoking exposure increased this risk. CONCLUSIONS: Among LTC residents, HF is associated with high mortality and hospitalization rates. Many factors contribute to mortality and hospitalizations among residents with HF, and comprehensive HF management programs are needed to improve outcomes.

The Value of Admission Clinical Data for Diagnosing Heart Failure in Long-term Care.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is common in long-term care (LTC). Diagnostic uncertainty is important barrier to optimal HF management, stemming from inadequate health information transfer upon LTC admission. We determine the utility of admission clinical information to confirm a HF diagnosis in new LTC residents. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study. From February 2004 to November 2006, information about new residents from 41 LTC homes in Ontario, Canada, was collected from residents and caregivers, and all available health records. A prior HF diagnosis was confirmed by consensus review of available data by two independent experts. Multivariate modelling was utilized to determine the utility of the admission clinical assessment in confirming a prior HF diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 449 residents were included for analysis, aged 84.3±6.5 years, and 21.6% had a prior HF diagnosis. The most useful clinical item for diagnosing HF was a "history of HF". The final model included "history of HF' (OR [odds ratio] 13.66, 95% CI 6.61-28.24), "fluid on the lungs" (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.04-3.89), "orthopnea" (OR 1.76, 95% CI 0.93-3.33), "taking ß-blocker" (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.10-3.94), "taking loop diuretics" (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.12-3.98), and "history of coronary artery disease" (OR 2.83, 95% CI 1.42-5.64). CONCLUSION: Elements of the clinical assessment for new LTC residents can help confirm a prior HF diagnosis. An admission history of HF is highly predictive.

Detection of COPD Exacerbations and compliance with patient-reported daily symptom diaries using a smart phone-based information system [corrected].

BACKGROUND: Paper-based diaries and self-report of symptom worsening in COPD may lead to underdetection of exacerbations. Epidemiologically, COPD exacerbations exhibit seasonal patterns peaking at year-end. We examined whether the use of a BlackBerry-based daily symptom diary would detect 95% or more of exacerbations and enable characterization of seasonal differences among them. METHODS: Fifty participants with GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) stage I to IV COPD began a community-based study in December 2007. Another 30 began in December 2008. Participants transmitted daily symptom diaries using a BlackBerry. Alerts were triggered when symptom changes, missed diary transmissions, or medical care for a respiratory problem occurred. Participant encounters were initiated if COPD exacerbations were suspected. Participants used their BlackBerrys to report returns to normal breathing. RESULTS: Participants transmitted 99.9% of 28,514 possible daily diaries. All 191 (2.5/participant-year) COPD exacerbations meeting Anthonisen criteria were detected. During 148 of the 191 exacerbations (78%, 1.97/participant-year), patients were hospitalized and/or ordered prednisone, an antibiotic, or both. Respiratory viruses were detected in 78 of the 191 exacerbations (41%). Those coinciding with a respiratory viral infection averaged 12.0 days, and those without averaged 8.9 days (P < .04), with no difference in Anthonisen score. Respiratory symptom scores before exacerbations and after normal breathing return showed no differences. Exacerbations were more frequent during the Christmas period than the rest of the year but were not more frequent than in the rest of winter alone. CONCLUSIONS: Smartphone-based collection of COPD symptom diaries enables near-complete identification of exacerbations at inception. Exacerbation rates in the Christmas season do not reach levels that necessitate changes in disease management.