Peculiarities of geriatric status in patients with chronic heart failure over the age of 65: data from the EUCALYPTUS study

Objective. In persons aged ≥ 65 years, to estimate the prevalence of chronic heart failure (CHF), assess geriatric status and analyze associations of CHF with geriatric syndromes (GS).
Design and methods. The study included 4308 people (30 % men) aged 65 to 107 years (mean age 78 ± 8 years) living in 11 regions of the Russian Federation, who were divided into 3 age subgroups (65–74 years, 75–84 years and ≥ 85 years). All participants underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment, which consisted of two stages: 1) questioning according to a specially designed questionnaire; 2) objective examination. The presence of 15 GS was assessed. The presence of CHF was judged on the basis of the submitted medical documentation.
Results. The frequency of CHF in all subjects was 57,8 %, including 44,2 % in persons aged 65–74 years, 60,2 % in 75–84 years, 72,6 % in ≥ 85 years (p for a trend < 0,001). In patients with CHF, the frequency of 13 out of 15 GS was higher (except for orthostatic hypotension and malnutrition). One-way regression analysis showed that the presence of CHF is associated with an increase in the chances of having these GS by 1,3–1,9 times. Multivariate regression analysis adjusted for age and sex found that age was independently associated with the presence of CHF (odds ratio (OR) 1,06 for every 1 year; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1,05–1,07; p < 0,001), basic dependence in everyday life (OR 1,22; 95 % CI 1,04–1,42; p = 0,015), probable depression (OR 1,35; 95 % CI 1,16–1,56; p < 0,001), fecal incontinence (OR 1,80; 95 % CI 1,21–2,69; p = 0,004) and chronic pain syndrome (OR 1,97; 95 % CI 1,58–2,45; p < 0,001).
Conclusions. In the EUCALYPTUS study, for the first time, national data on the prevalence of CHF in people aged ≥ 65 years were obtained and associations between CHF and 15 GS were studied.

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