Cognitive impairment predicts mortality in outpatient veterans with heart failure.

Background: In our prior study of 250 outpatient veterans with heart failure (HF), 58% had unrecognized cognitive impairment (CI) which was linked to worsened medication adherence. Literature suggests HF patients with CI have poorer clinical outcomes including higher mortality.

Objective: The study is to examine mortality rates in outpatients with HF and undiagnosed CI compared to their cognitively intact peers.

Testing a novel pictorial medication sheet to improve adherence in veterans with heart failure and cognitive impairment.

Objectives: (a) To evaluate efficacy of a pictorial medication sheet to improve adherence in veterans with heart failure (HF) and cognitive impairment (CI); (b) to describe acceptance of the intervention.

Background: CI is prevalent in HF and is associated with worsened medication adherence. The Veteran's Administration has developed a medication image library; however, use of images to improve adherence has not been tested.

Cognitive impairment and medication adherence in outpatients with heart failure.

Objectives: The study objectives were (a) to describe the prevalence and severity of cognitive impairment (CI) in an outpatient veteran population with heart failure (HF), (b) to describe the cognitive domains affected in those subjects found to have CI, (c) to examine clinical and demographic variables that may be associated with CI, and (d) to determine the relationship between CI and medication adherence (MA). We hypothesized that CI is a prevalent condition in veterans with HF and is associated with poorer MA. Adherence to therapy is essential for successful outcomes.