Lonely heart failure patients face worse outcomes than sociable peers

Older heart failure patients who feel that they have lost their social role among friends and family are more likely to suffer poor clinical outcomes. This is the finding of a new study in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine examined specific aspects of social interaction that might lead to a poor prognosis for these patients.

“We are the first to show a strong association between perceived loss of social role and poor long-term clinical outcomes in older adults. heart failure Satoshi Katano, the first author of this study, based at Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan. “Our study highlights the real need to develop a management program that includes a social approach to the care of these patients.”

healthy aging

Society weak has been widely identified as a risk to healthy aging. Social weaknesses include areas such as loss of social roles, social networks and social activities.

“Recent research has shown that two-thirds of older adults with heart failure have social impairment and it is associated with worse outcomes for these patients. exactly why social impairment is associated with a worse prognosis,” explains Katano. “To examine aspects of social impairment that might contribute to poor outcomes, we measured social impairment using the Makizako questionnaire in more than 300 heart failure patients over 65 years of age were admitted to our hospital for care.”

The Makizako Questionnaire is a reliable method for assessing social ills. It asked participants five questions that assessed the patient’s social support, social functioning, living situation, and perceived social role. A negative answer to two or more of the five questions is a sign of social weakness.

“We found that patients’ perceived social roles, as well as their overall social weakness, were associated with long-term adverse clinical outcomes in patients with major heart failure. In addition, both of these factors increase the likelihood of a poor prognosis,” Katano reported.

He continued: “Our study followed patients for three years after they were hospitalized, which is much longer than previous studies that only followed patients for one year. allowed us to examine the long-term impact of social weakness on adverse clinical outcomes in elderly heart failure patients.”

Social aspects of aftercare

The study was conducted in Japan and while the researchers emphasize that social interactions can vary from country to country. different cultures, it is likely that social weakness will adversely affect health in elderly heart failure patients in all societies. Therefore, Katano believes to include a social aspect for aftercare is essential.

“The next important step is to develop programs to help older heart failure patients who are socially challenged. Involvement in household chores and social activities such as participation in activities Meaningful volunteering to help others, all of which can help improve awareness of social role in elderly heart failure patients. This lifestyle change will help older heart failure patients live longer, healthier and more productive lives.”