The effects of marital status on outcome of heart failure population: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Jakrin Kewcharoen1, Sittinun Thangjui2, Chanavuth Kanitsoraphan1

  • 1University of Hawaii Internal Medicine Residency Program, Honolulu, HI, USA.

Acta Cardiologica
|December 17, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Unmarried individuals with heart failure (HF) face higher risks of mortality and rehospitalization. This meta-analysis confirms that marital status significantly impacts HF patient outcomes, highlighting a need for targeted support.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Social Science

Background:

  • Heart failure (HF) has established risk factors, but unknown factors influencing outcomes persist.
  • Previous studies suggest unmarried status correlates with increased rehospitalization and mortality in HF patients.
  • A systematic review and meta-analysis were needed to confirm the association between marital status and HF outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze the impact of marital status on mortality and rehospitalization in heart failure (HF) patients.
  • To consolidate existing evidence on the association between being unmarried and adverse outcomes in HF.
  • To provide a quantitative assessment of the risk associated with non-married status in HF.

Main Methods:

  • Searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for relevant cohort studies and randomized controlled trials up to July 2019.
  • Included studies reporting mortality and/or rehospitalization rates for married and unmarried HF patients.
  • Utilized a random-effects model to combine data from ten included studies.

Main Results:

  • The meta-analysis included ten studies, encompassing a significant number of heart failure patients.
  • Unmarried status was significantly associated with increased risk of mortality (pooled OR = 1.52).
  • Unmarried status also showed increased risk for rehospitalization (pooled OR = 1.80) and combined mortality/rehospitalization endpoints (pooled OR = 1.72).

Conclusions:

  • Being unmarried, divorced, or widowed is linked to worse outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients.
  • The findings indicate a significant association between non-married status and increased mortality and rehospitalization rates in HF.
  • Marital status emerges as a crucial, yet often overlooked, factor in heart failure prognosis.
Abstract

Keywords:
Marital statusheart failuremortalityrehospitalizationsingle

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