Lower household income associated with higher risk for HF mortality
Household income less than 150% of the federal poverty level was linked to a greater risk for HF mortality, according to study findings presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.
“From year to year, the per capita cost of managing heart failure is rising and ... so is the patient’s financial responsibility,” Olayinka J. Agboola, MD, MPH, of St. Mary’s Hospital, said during a presentation.
The researchers assessed whether there was any association between household income expressed as a percentage of federal poverty level and the rate of HF mortality using data from the U.S. Census National Longitudinal Mortality Study. They identified and analyzed data of all cases of HF deaths in the National Longitudinal Mortality Study, only including records that were prospectively followed for 11 years from time of survey.
Agboola and colleagues categorized the study sample based on baseline household income:
- group 1: 150% or less than the federal poverty level (n = 1,260);
- group 2: greater than 150% the federal poverty level, but 300% or less than the federal poverty level (n = 1,059); and
- group 3: greater than 300% the federal poverty level (n = 907).
They examined the link between the three groups and risk for death and compared survival.
Overall, the researchers identified 3,226 HF deaths. Analysis revealed the median survival was 5.6 years for group 1, 6.2 years for group 2 and 6.3 years for group 3 (P = .002).
The results showed that having income less than 150% of the federal poverty level was linked to a 14% higher risk for death by HF (HR = 1.14; 95% CI, 1.07-1.23; P = .0002) compared with income greater than 150% of the federal poverty level. After adjusting for age, race, sex and health insurance status, the investigators reported that income less than 150% of the federal poverty level was independently associated with a 21% increased risk for HF mortality (HR = 1.21; 95% CI, 1.11-1.32; P < .0001) compared with income greater than 150% of the federal poverty level.
“The takeaway from all of this is that household income less than 150% of federal poverty level is associated with an increased risk of heart failure mortality,” Agboola said. “This finding is important, particularly because it tells us a threshold or a benchmark that can be used in planning social interventions or resource allocation to improve outcomes among patients with heart failure.”
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Agboola OJ, et al. P1135. Presented at: American Heart Association Scientific Sessions; Nov. 13-15, 2021 (virtual meeting).
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