Insuficiencia cardíaca. Perspectiva desde atención primaria / Heart failure: a view from primary care

Objetivo: Conocer la situación de la insuficiencia cardíaca (IC) en atención primaria (AP). Diseño: Estudio transversal multicéntrico. Emplazamiento: Cuatro centros de salud y el hospital de referencia de un área urbana de Barcelona. Participantes: De una población de 35.212 habitantes mayores de 45 años, se incluyeron todos los pacientes (333) diagnosticados de IC en AP en 2006.MedicionesMediante cuestionario estandarizado se recogieron datos demográficos, clínicos y tratamiento. Resultados: Un 61,4% eran mujeres, la edad media en varones fue de 74,5 (desviación estándar [DE]: 10) y en mujeres de 79 (DE: 9,8) (p<0,0001), el 46% tenía una evolución de la enfermedad menor de 5 años. La comorbilidad en el momento del diagnóstico y al inicio del estudio fue hipertensión (65,4–73%), diabetes (33,6–40%), dislipidemia (40–53%), enfermedad coronaria (30–27%), valvulopatías (23,7–27%) y enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (20–26%). Resultados: Un 64% tenía registrado el grado funcional New York Heart Association (el 48% de clase II; el 30%, III; el 6,6%, IV). El 36% de los varones y el 20,5% de las mujeres tenían controlada la presión arterial (p=0,002). En un 75,4% constaba registro de electrocardiograma, un 57% de radiografía de tórax, un 58% en varones y un 46% en mujeres (p=0,02) de ecocardiograma. Los fármacos más prescritos fueron diuréticos (85,3%), inhibidores de la enzima de conversión de la angiotensina (43%), antagonistas de los receptores de la angiotensina (33%) y bloqueadores beta (27%). Conclusiones: Los pacientes atendidos son fundamentalmente mujeres de avanzada edad y elevada comorbilidad. Debe preocuparnos en AP el poco registro de exploraciones complementarias básicas y la poca utilización de BB (AU)

Objective: Our aim was to find out the situation of heart failure (HF) in primary care. Design: Cross-sectional multicentre study.Setting Four primary health care centres and a hospital in an urban area of Barcelona. Participants: From a registered population of 35,212 inhabitants older than 45 years, we studied all patients (333) diagnosed with HF in 2006 in primary care. Measurements: A standardised questionnaire was used to record demographic, clinical and treatment data. Results: There were 61.4% females. Mean age was 74.5 (standard deviation [SD]: 10) for men and 79 (SD: 9.8) for women. A total of 46% of patients had HF for <5 years. The comorbidity diagnosis and at the beginning of the study were: hypertension 65.4% and 73%, diabetes 33.6% and 40%, dyslipaemia 40% and 53%, coronary disease 30% and 27%, and valvular disease 23.7% and 27%, respectively. Results: A total of 64% of patients had registered New York Heart Association functional class (48% class II, 30% III and 6.6% IV). Blood pressure was controlled in 36% men and 20.5% women (P=0.002); 75.4% had an electrocardiogram, 57% X-ray; 58% of men and 46% of women (P=0.02) had echocardiography. The most prescribed drugs were diuretics 85.3%, the least, beta blockers 27%.ConclusionsPatients with HF in primary care are elderly females with a lot of comorbidities. We must be concerned by the suboptimal use of basic investigations (electrocardiogram and X-ray) and beta blocker treatments (AU)

[Heart failure: a view from primary care]. / Insuficiencia cardíaca. Perspectiva desde atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to find out the situation of heart failure (HF) in primary care. DESIGN: Cross-sectional multicentre study. SETTING: Four primary health care centres and a hospital in an urban area of Barcelona. PARTICIPANTS: From a registered population of 35,212 inhabitants older than 45 years, we studied all patients (333) diagnosed with HF in 2006 in primary care. MEASUREMENTS: A standardised questionnaire was used to record demographic, clinical and treatment data. RESULTS: There were 61.4% females. Mean age was 74.5 (standard deviation [SD]: 10) for men and 79 (SD: 9.8) for women. A total of 46% of patients had HF for <5 years. The comorbidity diagnosis and at the beginning of the study were: hypertension 65.4% and 73%, diabetes 33.6% and 40%, dyslipaemia 40% and 53%, coronary disease 30% and 27%, and valvular disease 23.7% and 27%, respectively. A total of 64% of patients had registered New York Heart Association functional class (48% class II, 30% III and 6.6% IV). Blood pressure was controlled in 36% men and 20.5% women (P=0.002); 75.4% had an electrocardiogram, 57% X-ray; 58% of men and 46% of women (P=0.02) had echocardiography. The most prescribed drugs were diuretics 85.3%, the least, beta blockers 27%. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HF in primary care are elderly females with a lot of comorbidities. We must be concerned by the suboptimal use of basic investigations (electrocardiogram and X-ray) and beta blocker treatments.