Discordance between patient-predicted and model-predicted life expectancy among ambulatory patients with heart failure.
BACKGROUND
Patients with chronic heart failure have impaired long-term survival, but their own expectations regarding prognosis have not been well studied.


OBJECTIVE
To quantify expectations for survival in patients with heart failure, to compare patient expectations to model predictions, and to identify factors associated with discrepancies between patient-predicted and model-predicted prognosis.


METHODS
Prospective face-to-face survey of patients from the single-center Duke Heart Failure Disease Management Program between July and December 2004, with follow-up through February 2008. Patient-predicted life expectancy was obtained using a visual analog scale. Model-predicted life expectancy was calculated using the Seattle Heart Failure Model. Actuarial-predicted life expectancy, based on age and sex alone, was calculated using life tables. Observed survival was determined from review of medical records and search of the Social Security Death Index.


METHODS
Life expectancy ratio (LER), defined as the ratio of patient-predicted to model-predicted life expectancy.


RESULTS
The cohort consisted of 122 patients (mean age, 62 years; 47% African American, 42% New York Heart Association [NYHA] class III or IV). On average, patients overestimated their life expectancy relative to model-predicted life expectancy (median patient-predicted life expectancy, 13.0 years; model-predicted expectancy, 10.0 years). Median LER was 1.4 (interquartile range, 0.8-2.5). Younger age, increased NYHA class, lower ejection fraction, and less depression were the most significant predictors of higher LER. During a median follow-up of 3.1 years, 29% of the original cohort died. There was no association between higher LER and improved survival (adjusted hazard ratio for overestimated compared with concordant LER, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.46-2.42).


CONCLUSIONS
Ambulatory patients with heart failure tended to substantially overestimate their life expectancy compared with model-based predictions for survival. Because differences in perceived survival could affect decision making regarding advanced therapies and end-of-life planning, the causes of these discordant predictions warrant further study.
Duke Clinical Research Institute and Division of Cardiology, Durham, NC 27705, USA. larry_allen@post.harvard.edu
Larry A
LA
Allen
Jonathan E
JE
Yager
Michele Jonsson
MJ
Funk
Wayne C
WC
Levy
James A
JA
Tulsky
Margaret T
MT
Bowers
Gwen C
GC
Dodson
Christopher M
CM
O'Connor
G Michael
GM
Felker
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000401:mortality* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D011379:Prognosis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016019:Survival Analysis