Life burden and demographics characteristics of 2822 patients with heart failure included in the multicenter french survey OFICSEL

Background Heart Failure (HF) is a major public health problem resulting in high rates of hospitalization and mortality. Most HF Surveys have included selected HF patients and did not focus on HF life burden. Purpose To describe a large French HF population (de novo/chronic/acute; out and in-patients; consultation/hospitalization/rehabilitation; LVEF preserved/reduced, any type of cardiologist’ practice). Methods Prospective enrolment during 6 months in 2017. Data collection included demographic, burden, clinical, biological, echocardiography, treatment and diet characteristics. Results A total 2822 HF patients (70% men, mean age 67 ± 14 years) from 79 French departments of cardiology were included ( Table 1 ). Thirty-six percent were outpatients, 53% were hospitalized and 11% were in rehabilitation center. Sixteen percent were de novo and 31% were in Acute HF. Fifty percent have been hospitalized during the previous year for Acute HF. Seventy-nine were in NYHA II or III and the mean LVEF was 38.8 ± 13.7%. 32% lived in the Countryside vs. 68% in Town. Thirty percent lived alone, 50% with a partner and 18% with their family and 1.5% in a Care home. Sixty-eight percent have level of education below Baccalaureat. Eighty-eight percent were non-working patients: 70% were retired; 9% were in sick Leave and 9% were unemployed. Regarding their self-sufficiency, 84% reported limitation of their life activities because of HF symptoms: 45% did not do their own cooking, 51% can not do their shopping, which is done by their partner (33%), by other members of the family (13%), by care givers (2%), by home delivery (2%), or by neighbours (1%). Seventy-four percent had Long Term Public Health Insurance (HI) (ALD), 40% had a Private HI, 4% had a Universal HI (CMU) and 0.5% reported none. Only 33% were asked to enter in an Education Program and of whom 65% did. Conclusion Heart failure is more prevalent in men with low level of education and leads to heavy life burden because of vital exhaustion and life dependency that are reinforced by social isolation.