Abstract
Background: Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of hospitalization and death in the aging population around the world. Home care utilization is associated with improved survival for the patients with HF, and varies by ethnoculture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in hospital readmission rate and mortality between Asian and other Canadian HF patients.
Methods: HF patients were identified using hospital discharge abstracts from March 31, 2000 to April 1, 2006 in
Calgary Health Region. Readmission and one-year mortality for HF were determined by linking hospital discharge
and vital statistics data. Stratified by home care services use, readmission and mortality rates were compared
between the Asians and other Canadians while controlling for age, sex, comorbidities, and household income.
Results: Of 26,171 HF patients discharged from hospital, 56.6% of Asians and 58.0% of other Canadians used home care services [adjusted odds ratio (OR) for Asian: 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.74-0.89]. The hospital
readmission rate was similar between Asians and other Canadians regardless of home care services use. Mortality was similar between those who used home care services (adjusted OR for Asian: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.81-1.13). For
patients who did not use home care services, Asians had significantly lower mortality than other Canadians
(adjusted OR for Asian: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.60-0.86).
Conclusion: Mortality was similar between Asian and other Canadian patients when home care services were
utilized. However, among those without home care, Asian patients had a significantly lower mortality than other Canadian patients.