Older patients with heart failure managed in primary care versus cardiology care: a register-based study.

backgroundAdherence to guideline-recommended drug treatment for heart failure (HF) is lower among patients managed in primary care compared with cardiology care. Understanding more about the patient group managed in primary care only is important.

aimTo compare the sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, care use, and drug dispensation of older patients with HF managed exclusively in primary care with those who are also managed in cardiology care. DESIGN AND

settingA register-based study using real-world administrative data from Stockholm, Sweden.

methodThe study population comprised all individuals aged ≥60 years resident in Stockholm on 31 December 2022 with an HF diagnosis. The Total Population Register and several national health registers were linked, providing information on comorbidities, HF hospital admissions, primary care visits, and dispensed drugs. Individuals were categorised into those managed exclusively in primary care or those who were also managed in cardiology care by the absence/presence of an in-/outpatient appointment with a cardiologist during the past 5 years.

resultsHF was prevalent in 33 872 of 524 250 (6.5%) individuals of whom 50.4% (

conclusionPrimary care manages the majority of individuals with HF, who are typically older than those patients who are also managed in cardiology care. These characteristics may explain differences in drug use.