Gender and racial differences in psychosocial factors of low-income patients with heart failure
published online 14 July 2009.
Background
Heart failure (HF) is a debilitating chronic disease with incidence and prevalence continuing to increase, particularly in low-income, minority groups. Psychosocial variables have recently emerged as important predictors of cardiovascular risk and health outcomes in HF. However few data exist in this group. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the sociodemographic and psychosocial variables in low-income patients with HF.
Methods
This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study using 1-time interviews. Subjects with HF were recruited from 3 cardiology clinics and 1 community hospital.
Results
Fifty-five percent of the sample (n=65) were women with a mean (standard deviation) age of 59 years (14); 35% were non-white, 86% were unemployed, 56% had an annual income < $10,000, and 52% were uninsured. Most reported having high social support (83%), poor health perception (82%), and severe depressive symptoms (70%). Non-white men seemed to have worse health perceptions and more depressive symptoms.
Conclusion
Low-income patients with HF, particularly non-white men, have poor health perception and more depressive symptoms. This is important because HF has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients. Future research is necessary to explore ways in designing effective interventions to improve health outcomes.
aUniversity of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
bUniversity of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
Corresponding author: Aurelia Macabasco-O'Connell, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, FAHA, 700 Tiverton Ave, 4-242 Factor Bldg, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6918.
ABSTRACT