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Racial differences in outcome and treatment effect in congestive heart failure
James Mathew1, Janet Wittes, Frances McSherry
1Wisconsin Cardiovascular Group, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53215, USA. jamesmathew@earthlink.net
Insights
Race does not independently predict mortality in congestive heart failure (CHF). Digoxin
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Clinical Research
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Investigating racial differences in congestive heart failure (CHF) outcomes.
- Examining if race influences treatment efficacy in CHF patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if race impacts mortality in congestive heart failure.
- To assess if the effectiveness of digoxin varies by race in CHF treatment.
Main Methods:
- Post hoc analysis of the DIG study data.
- Involved 897 black and 6660 white participants with CHF.
- Utilized Cox regression models to analyze mortality and hospitalization risks.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in overall mortality between black and white participants.
- Black patients experienced higher hospitalization rates for worsening CHF.
- Multivariate analysis revealed no racial disparities in death risk or digoxin's effect.
Conclusions:
- Race is not an independent predictor of mortality in congestive heart failure.
- Digoxin's impact on morbidity and mortality is consistent across racial groups in CHF.
Background:
In congestive heart failure (CHF), it is unknown whether race affects mortality and whether the effect of treatments differs by race.
Methods:
This study was a post hoc analysis of data from the DIG study that evaluated the effect of digoxin on morbidity and mortality in CHF.
Results:
Investigators followed 897 black and 6660 white participants for a mean of 37 months. Compared with whites, blacks were younger (60 +/- 13 vs 65 +/- 11 years). Total mortality was 34.2% in blacks and 33.6% in whites; hospitalization for worsening CHF occurred in 39% of blacks and 28% of whites. Cox regressions with race as the only covariate showed no effect of race on risk for death (relative risk = 1.04, 95% CI 0.93-1.18, P = .49) but an increase in CHF hospitalization in blacks (relative risk = 1.52, 95% CI 1.35-1.70, P = .0001). Multivariate Cox regression showed no difference by race in risk for death or death/hospitalization for CHF and no difference in the effect of digoxin on either end point.
Conclusion:
Race is not an independent predictor of mortality in CHF. The effect of digoxin on morbidity and mortality in CHF does not differ in blacks and whites.
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