More 'malignant' than cancer? Five-year survival following a first admission for heart failure

Stewart, S., MacIntyre, K., Hole, D.J., Capewell, S. and McMurray, J.J.V. (2001) More 'malignant' than cancer? Five-year survival following a first admission for heart failure. European Journal of Heart Failure, 3(3), pp. 315-322. (doi: 10.1016/S1388-9842(00)00141-0)

Abstract

Background: The prognostic impact of heart failure relative to that of 'high-profile' disease states such as cancer, within the whole population, is unknown. Methods: All patients with a first admission to any Scottish hospital in 1991 for heart failure, myocardial infarction or the four most common types of cancer specific to men and women were identified. Five-year survival rates and associated loss of expected life-years were then compared. Results: In 1991, 16 224 men had an initial hospitalisation for heart failure (n = 3241), myocardial infarction (n = 6932) or cancer of the lung, large bowel, prostate or bladder (n = 6051). Similarly, 14 842 women were admitted for heart failure (n = 3606), myocardial infarction (n = 4916), or cancer of the breast, lung, large bowel or ovary (n = 6320). With the exception of lung cancer, heart failure was associated with the poorest 5-year survival rate (approximately 25% for both sexes). On an adjusted basis, heart failure was associated with worse long-term survival than bowel cancer in men (adjusted odds ratio, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82-0.97; P < 0.01) and breast cancer in women (odds ratio, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.55-0.64; P < 0.001). The overall population rate of expected life-years lost due to heart failure in men was 6.7 years/1000 and for women 5.1 years/1000. Conclusion: With the notable exception of lung cancer, heart failure is as 'malignant' as many common types of cancer and is associated with a comparable number of expected life-years lost

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: MacIntyre, Dr Kate and Capewell, Dr Simon and McMurray, Professor John and Hole, Prof David
• Authors: Stewart, S., MacIntyre, K., Hole, D.J., Capewell, S., and McMurray, J.J.V.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Centre for Population and Health Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: European Journal of Heart Failure
• ISSN: 1388-9842