Gender and racial differences in psychosocial factors of low-income patients with heart failure

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.