Life Expectancy Exploration of Heart Failure Patients Presenting with Diabetes

BackgroundDiabetes is a serious medical condition marked by high blood sugar levels, leading to complications in organs like the kidney, liver, and heart. Previous research has identified diabetes as a primary risk factor for congestive heart failure (CHF), a condition where stiffened heart muscles hinder oxygenated blood circulation. Despite its severity, few studies have examined CHF prognosis in diabetic patients. This study aims to provide survival estimates and provide their comparisons among predictors, assess mortality risks based on specific variables, and reveal patient outcome patterns. MethodsWe analyzed data from a 2015 study at Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology and Allied Hospital (FICAH), Pakistan, focusing on 125 diabetic patients with Class III or IV heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Kaplan-Meier estimates provided survival rates, log-rank tests compared survival across variables, Cox regression models estimated hazard ratios, and cluster analysis grouped patients by characteristics and survival rates. ResultsThe study examined 125 diabetic heart failure patients. Of these, 40(32%) were censored and the remaining 85(68%) died. The total follow-up period was 278 days, on the 120th day, 0.752[95% CI = 0.678,0,883] of the patients survived after initial diagnosis. Log-rank tests showed survival differences linked to high blood pressure, anemia and smoking. Cox regression identified age, smoking and hypertension as major mortality risk factors. Cluster analysis revealed the risk factors associated with middle aged and the older patients. ConclusionThe overall prognosis of heart failure patients with diabetes was poor with high mortality rates, implying effective treatment and management.