Factors related to early readmissions after acute heart failure: a nested case-control study

AimsTo describe the main characteristics of patients who were readmitted to hospital within 1 month after an index episode for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).Methods and resultsThis is a nested case-control study in the ReIC cohort, cases being consecutive patients readmitted after hospitalization for an episode of ADHF and matched controls selected from those who were not readmitted. We collected clinical data and also patient-reported outcome measures, including dyspnea, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores, as well as symptoms during a transition period of 1 month after discharge. We created a multivariable conditional logistic regression model. Despite cases consulted more than controls, there were no statistically significant differences in changes in treatment during this first month. Patients with chronic decompensated heart failure were 2.25 [1.25, 4.05] more likely to be readmitted than de novo patients. Previous diagnosis of arrhythmia and time since diagnosis >= 3 years, worsening in dyspnea, and changes in MLWHF and TFI scores were significant in the final model.ConclusionWe present a model with explanatory variables for readmission in the short term for ADHF. Our study shows that in addition to variables classically related to readmission, there are others related to the presence of residual congestion, quality of life and frailty that are determining factors for readmission for heart failure in the first month after discharge.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03300791. First registration: 03/10/2017.

Automated summary

This study conducted a nested case-control study to analyze the characteristics of patients who were readmitted to hospital within 1 month after an episode of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). The findings revealed that factors such as chronic decompensated heart failure, previous diagnosis of arrhythmia, worsening symptoms, and changes in quality of life and frailty were associated with readmission. The results provide insights for preventing readmissions in ADHF patients during the first month after discharge.