Real-World Health Care Resource Utilisation Among Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: A Canadian Assessment

AimThe aim of this study was to critically analyse and describe gender differences related to self-care among patients with chronic heart failure (HF).Methods and resultsA monocentric real-world cohort of 346 patients with chronic HF in follow-up was used for this cross-sectional study. We report data related to the cohort’s demographic and clinical characteristics. Self-care was assessed using the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index before patients’ discharge. After bivariate analysis, logistical regression models were used to describe the relationship between gender, self-care behaviours and self-care confidence. While men were found to have more than quadruple the risk of poor self-care than women (OR 4.596; 95% CI 1.075 to 19.650), men were also found to be approximately 60% more likely to have adequate self-care confidence than women (OR 0.412; 95% CI 0.104 to 0.962). Considering that self-care confidence is described as a positive predictor of behaviours, our results suggest a paradox. It is possible that the patient–caregiver relationship mediates the effect of confidence on behaviours. Overall, adequate levels of self-care behaviours are a current issue, ranging 7.6%–18.0%.ConclusionThis study sets the stage for future research where elements of the patient–caregiver relationship ought to be considered to inform the planning of appropriate educational interventions. We recommend routinely measuring patients’ self-care behaviours to guide their follow-up and as a basis for any changes in their daily life behaviours.

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Diagnosis of deep-vein thrombosis: Adherence to guidelines and outcomes in real-world health care

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1160/th09-06-0385 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 102 (12) ◽

pp. 1234-1240 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Horst Gerlach ◽

Viola Hach-Wunderle ◽

Eberhard Rabe ◽

Hanno Riess ◽

Heike Carnarius ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Deep Vein Thrombosis ◽

Ambulatory Care ◽

Real World ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

World Health ◽

Vein Thrombosis ◽

Deep Vein ◽

Work Up ◽

Current Guidelines

SummaryCurrent guidelines recommend optimised algorithms for diagnosis of suspected deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). There is little data to determine to what extent real-world health care adheres to guidelines, and which outcome in terms of diagnostic efficiency and safety is achieved. This registry involved patients with clinically suspected DVT of the leg recruited in German ambulatory care between October and December 2005. Registry items were: diagnostic methods applied; diagnostic categories at day 1; and venous thromboembolic events up to 90 days in patients without firmly established DVT. A total of 4,976 patients were recruited in 326 centres. Venous ultrasonography was performed in 4,770 patients (96%), D-dimer assay in 1,773 patients (36%) and venography in 288 patients (6%). At day 1, DVT was confirmed in 1,388 patients (28%), and ruled out in 3,389 patients (68%), and work-up was inconclusive in 199 patients (4%).The rate of venous thromboembolism at 90 days was 0.34% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.09 to 0.88) in patients in whom the diagnosis of DVT had been ruled out, and 2.50% (95% CI: 0.69 to 6.28) in patients with inconclusive diagnostic workup. This nationwide evaluation in German ambulatory care revealed that the diagnostic work-up for suspected DVT did not adhere to current guidelines. However, the overall diagnostic safety was excellent, although there is potential for improvement in a well defined minority of patients.The TULIPA registry was funded by GlaxoSmithKline GmbH und Co KG, Munich.

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