Physical function decline due to rehospitalization in older patients with heart failure and its contributing factors

Older patients with heart failure often experience decreased physical activity, which reduces their ability to perform activities of daily living. Additionally, this physical function decline is exacerbated with each rehospitalization. However, the extent of this decline with rehospitalization in older patients with heart failure remains unclear, as do the characteristics of this patient group. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the extent of physical function decline due to rehospitalization in older patients with heart failure and identify the factors associated with it.

Patients with heart failure aged ≥65 years who were hospitalized twice between September 2019 and June 2022 were enrolled. Patients were evaluated using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) at each admission and discharge. Analysis of variance was used to examine the impact of rehospitalization on physical function.

Fifty-seven patients were evaluated in this study. SPPB scores were significantly lower at the second discharge than at the first discharge (P = 0.009). Overall, the SPPB score at the second discharge was 92 % (67-100 %) of that at the first discharge. Furthermore, patients with decreased SPPB scores at the second discharge, compared to those at the first discharge, had significantly lower SPPB scores at the second admission than those who maintained their scores.

Older patients with heart failure experienced a 10 % decline in physical function due to rehospitalization. Moreover, those with decreased physical function at the second discharge had already exhibited reduced physical function at the time of the second admission.