Risk factors for hospital readmission of patients with heart failure: A cohort study

The aim of this study was to develop a risk factor model for hospital readmission in patients with heart failure.

Identification of risk factors and predictors of readmission to hospital in patients with heart failure is very crucial for improved clinical outcomes.

The objective of the current study was to investigate and delineate the risk factors that may be implicated in putting a patient at greater risk of readmission due to uncontrolled heart failure.

This is a prospective follow-up cohort study of 170 patients with heart failure at a tertiary hospital in Al Ain city in the United Arab Emirates. We have developed a risk factor model based on the recommendations of validated published data. We have used univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses on structured steps based on the published data. The main outcome was the risk factors for readmission to hospital due to heart failure.

A final predictive model (10 variables) was produced for unplanned readmission of patients with heart failure. The risk factors identified in the final model with their odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were as follows: four or more prescribed medicines (OR = 4.13; CI = 3.5-4.1; P = 0.003), more than twice daily dosing regimen (OR = 2.34; CI = 1.0-5.0; P = 0.023), poor knowledge of prescribed medications (OR = 4.24; CI = 1.213-14.781; P = 0.006), diabetes mellitus (OR = 3.78; CI = 1.6-8.7; P = 0.006), edema (OR = 2.64; CI = 1.2-5.6; P = 0.011), being house bound (OR = 2.77; CI = 1.2-6.2; P = 0.014), and being prescribed diuretics (OR = 3.69; CI = 1.4-9.2; P = 0.042).

The specificity of the developed risk prediction model was 82.2%, the sensitivity was 74.3%, and the overall accuracy was 72.9%. The model can be emulated in population with similar characteristics to prevent early readmission of patient with heart failure.