Strategy to recognize and initiate treatment of chronic heart failure in primary care (STRETCH): a cluster randomized trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Most patients with heart failure are diagnosed and managed in primary care, however, underdiagnosis and undertreatment are common. We assessed whether implementation of a diagnostic-therapeutic strategy improves functionality, health-related quality of life, and uptake of heart failure medication in primary care.

Methods/design

A selective screening study followed by a single-blind cluster randomized trial in primary care. The study population consists of patients aged 65 years or over who presented themselves to the general practitioner in the previous 12 months with shortness of breath on exertion. Patients already known with established heart failure, confirmed by echocardiography, are excluded. Diagnostic investigations include history taking, physical examina

SUBMITTER: van Riet EE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3898002 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature