Cluster Analysis to Distinguish Patients Most Likely to Benefit from Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation-A Prospective, Multicenter Study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Preventive Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Limited availability of cardiac rehabilitation necessitates efficient patient selection.
• Identifying patient subgroups who benefit most can optimize resource allocation.
• Cardiac rehabilitation aims to improve cardiovascular health and reduce risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify distinct patient groups using cluster analysis based on clinical and laboratory variables.
• To compare the effectiveness of 6-month outpatient cardiac rehabilitation across these identified groups.
• To assess the impact of cardiac rehabilitation on blood pressure, blood lipids, fasting blood glucose, and uric acid.

Main Methods:

• Cluster analysis was employed to stratify patients into three distinct groups.
• Patient groups were characterized by obesity, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and fasting glucose levels.
• Outcomes of a 6-month outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program were evaluated for each group.

Main Results:

• Group 1 (obese men with high blood pressure) showed improved blood pressure.
• Group 3 (overweight women with unfavorable lipids) demonstrated improvements in blood lipids and blood pressure.
• Group 2 (normal weight individuals) did not exhibit significant changes in the measured outcomes. No significant changes were observed in fasting blood glucose or uric acid levels for any group.

Conclusions:

• Patient selection is crucial for maximizing the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation.
• Cardiac rehabilitation demonstrates differential efficacy across patient subgroups.
• Tailoring cardiac rehabilitation programs to specific patient profiles may enhance treatment effectiveness.