Management of chronic heart failure in general practice in Australia.
BACKGROUND
Chronic heart failure is a common clinical syndrome associated with high healthcare system use.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to explore the management of chronic heart failure in Australian general practice.


METHODS
Data from the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health program were used to determine the prevalence of chronic heart failure, use of natriuretic peptide testing, prescribing patterns, hospitalisation rates and referrals to community-based heart failure management programs in three study periods between 2010 and 2015.


RESULTS
Data on 8989 patients from 308 general practitioners were analysed. Of these patients, 324 had chronic heart failure (prevalence 3.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.1-4.2), 44% (95% CI: 34.5-53.6) of whom had been hospitalised for the condition. The mean number of prescribed heart failure medication agents was 2.26 (95% CI: 2.13-2.39) per patient. Discharge under community heart failure programs was not routine.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic heart failure is a significant burden in general practice. Strategies to optimise management and avoid hospitalisation, where possible, are needed.
MBChB(Edin), AMC, MS(Trans), is an advanced trainee in urology, Western General Hospital, Footscray, Victoria.
Claire J
CJ
Taylor
Lisa
L
Valenti
Helena
H
Britt
Joan
J
Henderson
Clare
C
Bayram
Graeme C
GC
Miller
Fd Richard
FR
Hobbs
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000379:methods*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D015995:Prevalence
D015415:Biomarkers; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides