Health-related quality of life and long-term morbidity and mortality in patients hospitalised with systolic heart failure.

Background: Health-related quality of life has been shown to impact prognosis in chronic heart failure, however with limited long-term follow-up. We analysed data spanning 8-12 years to assess the impact of health-related quality of life using the Nottingham Health Profile on first hospitalisation and mortality, for cardiovascular and all causes.

Methods: We included 208 patients aged ≥60 years with New York Heart Association class II-IV and left ventricular systolic dysfunction hospitalised in Stockholm during 1996-99.

Long term health care consumption and cost expenditure in systolic heart failure.

Background: The prevalence, health care consumption, and mortality increase in elderly patients with heart failure. This study aimed to analyse long term cost expenditure and predictors of health care consumption in these patients.

Methods: We included 208 patients aged 60 years or older and hospitalised with heart failure (NYHA class II-IV and left ventricular systolic dysfunction); 58% were men, mean age 76 years, and mean ejection fraction 0.