Relation of dyspnea severity on admission for acute heart failure with outcomes and costs.

ABSTRACT: Hospitalization for heart failure (HF) is frequently related to dyspnea, yet associations among dyspnea severity, outcomes, and health care costs are unknown. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of patients hospitalized for acute HF by dyspnea severity and to examine associations among dyspnea severity, outcomes, and costs. Registry data for patients hospitalized for HF were linked with Medicare claims to evaluate dyspnea and outcomes in patients ≥65 years of age. We classified patients by patient-reported dyspnea severity at admission. Outcomes included length of stay, mortality 30 days after admission, days alive and out of the hospital, readmission, and Medicare payments 30 days after discharge. Of 48,616 patients with acute HF and dyspnea, 4,022 (8.3%) had dyspnea

SUBMITTER: Mentz RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4262730 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature