Diastolic heart failure in older people.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of diastolic heart failure in older people in the community, identify associated risk factors and measure its impact on function and quality of life.


METHODS
Cross-sectional population-based study.


METHODS
A two-stage random sample of 500 subjects was drawn from 5,002 subjects aged 70 years and over living at home. Diastolic heart failure was diagnosed by a panel of three physicians, based on clinical assessment and echocardiographic indicators of diastolic dysfunction.


METHODS
Prevalence of diastolic heart failure and its effect on function and quality of life as measured by Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living, Hospital Anxiety and Depression and SF-36 questionnaires.


RESULTS
The prevalence of diastolic heart failure was 5.54% (95% CI = 3.71, 7.87) and was higher in women (8.32%) than in men (1.25%), P = 0.008. On multivariate analysis of variance, diastolic heart failure was associated with female gender and history of ischaemic heart disease. Subjects with diastolic heart failure had significantly poorer functional status and physical health than those without heart failure.


CONCLUSIONS
Diastolic heart failure is relatively common in older people and is associated with adverse affects in older people's lives.
O'Mahony
M Sinead
MS
University of Wales College of Medicine,University Department of Geriatric Medicine, Llandough Hospital, Penarth, UK. omahonyms@cf.ac.uk
Sim
M F Victor
MF
Ho
Shu F
SF
Steward
John A
JA
Buchalter
Maurice
M
Burr
Michael
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003971:Diastole; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014852:Wales