Precipitating factors of decompensation of heart failure related to treatment adherence: multicenter study-EMBRACE.

Objective: To describe the precipitating factors of heart failure decompensation between adherent and non-adherent patients to treatment.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of a multicenter cohort study. Patients over 18 years of age with decompensated heart failure (functional class III/IV) were eligible. The structured questionnaire was used to collect the data and evaluate the reasons for decompensation. The irregular use of medication prior to hospitalization and inadequate salt and fluid intake were considered as poor adherence to treatment.

Results: A total of 556 patients were included, mean age 61 ± 14 years old, 362 (65%) male. The main factor of decompensation was poor adherence, representing 55% of the sample. Patients who reported irregular use of medications in the last week had a 22% greater risk of being hospitalized due to poor adherence than the patients who adhered to treatment.

Conclusion: The EMBRACE study showed that in patients with heart failure, poor adherence was the main factor of exacerbation.