April 2004
BMJ-British Medical Journal
New figures reveal social gradient of heart failureInfluence of socioeconomic deprivation on the primary care burden and treatment of patients with a diagnosis of heart failure in general practice in Scotland: population based study BMJ Online FirstSocially deprived individuals are 44% more likely to develop heart failure but 23% less likely to see their general practitioner on a regular basis compared with affluent patients, finds new research available on bmj.com.
Using data from a large health project in Scotland, researchers examined the influence of social and economic deprivation on the diagnosis and treatment of 2,186 adults with heart failure.
They found that the incidence of heart failure significantly increased with increasing social deprivation. Socioeconomically deprived patients were 44% more likely to develop heart failure than affluent patients. In contrast, patients in the most deprived groups had 23% fewer follow up visits each year with their general practitioner.
Contrary to speculation, prescribed treatment did not differ across social or economic gradients.
Once the mechanisms behind these socioeconomic gradients are better understood, programmes can be devised for optimal outcomes of all patients, irrespective of social class, conclude the authors.
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