Aim of the study was to prospectively assess the relation between atrial fibrillation, cognitive impairment, frailty and disability in older patients with chronic heart failure. Methods Three hundred thirty-one ambulatory community-living patients aged 70 years and older (mean 78 ± 6; range 70-93; 43% women) in stable conditions and optimized therapy were enrolled in seven heart failure cardiology clinics. Cognitive impairment was defined by a corrected Mini Mental State Examination score less than 24. Gait speed was used as marker of frailty and measured on a 4 m distance at usual pace. Results Ninety-eight patients (30%) were on atrial fibrillation at enrolment and 20 (6%) had a history of paroxysmal/persistent atrial fibrillation. Patients with atrial fibrillation were more frequently women with severe valvular disease, preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and less frequently on beta-blockers. At multivariable analyses, atrial fibrillation emerged as independently related to cognitive impairment [odds ratio (OR) 1.909 (1.072-3.397); P = 0.028], as well as to reduced gait speed [OR 4.366 (2.104-9.060); P < 0.001]. Furthermore, atrial fibrillation was significantly associated with disability in either basic or instrumental activities of daily living. No differences were found in mortality and morbidity. Conclusion Among patients with chronic heart failure, those with atrial fibrillation present a high prevalence of frailty, cognitive impairment and disability. The hypothetical mechanisms by which atrial fibrillation and heart failure may affect these conditions are multiple and further studies are warranted. However, screening for these variables in clinical practice is simple and inexpensive and may allow better strategies for intervention in this high-risk population.

Pulignano, G., Del Sindaco, D., Tinti, M., Di Lenarda, A., Alunni, G., Senni, M., et al. (2016). Atrial fibrillation, cognitive impairment, frailty and disability in older heart failure patients. JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE, 17(8), 616-623 [10.2459/JCM.0000000000000366].

Atrial fibrillation, cognitive impairment, frailty and disability in older heart failure patients

Senni M;
2016

Abstract

Aim of the study was to prospectively assess the relation between atrial fibrillation, cognitive impairment, frailty and disability in older patients with chronic heart failure. Methods Three hundred thirty-one ambulatory community-living patients aged 70 years and older (mean 78 ± 6; range 70-93; 43% women) in stable conditions and optimized therapy were enrolled in seven heart failure cardiology clinics. Cognitive impairment was defined by a corrected Mini Mental State Examination score less than 24. Gait speed was used as marker of frailty and measured on a 4 m distance at usual pace. Results Ninety-eight patients (30%) were on atrial fibrillation at enrolment and 20 (6%) had a history of paroxysmal/persistent atrial fibrillation. Patients with atrial fibrillation were more frequently women with severe valvular disease, preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and less frequently on beta-blockers. At multivariable analyses, atrial fibrillation emerged as independently related to cognitive impairment [odds ratio (OR) 1.909 (1.072-3.397); P = 0.028], as well as to reduced gait speed [OR 4.366 (2.104-9.060); P < 0.001]. Furthermore, atrial fibrillation was significantly associated with disability in either basic or instrumental activities of daily living. No differences were found in mortality and morbidity. Conclusion Among patients with chronic heart failure, those with atrial fibrillation present a high prevalence of frailty, cognitive impairment and disability. The hypothetical mechanisms by which atrial fibrillation and heart failure may affect these conditions are multiple and further studies are warranted. However, screening for these variables in clinical practice is simple and inexpensive and may allow better strategies for intervention in this high-risk population.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Atrial fibrillation; cognitive impairment; disability; elderly; frailty; gait speed; heart failure;
English
2016
17
8
616
623
none
Pulignano, G., Del Sindaco, D., Tinti, M., Di Lenarda, A., Alunni, G., Senni, M., et al. (2016). Atrial fibrillation, cognitive impairment, frailty and disability in older heart failure patients. JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE, 17(8), 616-623 [10.2459/JCM.0000000000000366].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/372417
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