[Increase in the number of admissions due to heart failure in Dutch hospitals in the period 1980-1992].

OBJECTIVE

Determination of the trend in the occurrence of hospital admissions because of heart failure in the Netherlands.

DESIGN

Descriptive investigation.

SETTING

Dutch general and university hospitals.

METHOD

Data on hospital admissions because of heart failure from 1980 to 1992, obtained from the National Medical Register, were analysed. Three ICD-9 CM diagnoses were combined (congestive heart failure 428.x, diseases of the heart due to hypertension 402.x and myocardial degeneration 429.I).

RESULTS

From 1980 through 1992 the annual number of hospital admissions for heart failure increased by 69%, for both men and women, from 14,441 to 24,368. Age-adjusted admission rates increased by 43% for men, and by 30% for women. The admission rates were strongly age-related, with higher rates in the older age groups. Among men 89% of the patients in 1992 were older than 60 years, and 63% older than 70 years. Among women these figures were 94% and 79%, respectively. During the study period the age-specific admission rates rose in all relevant age groups. The rise was higher in the older age groups. In 1992 the average duration of stay in hospital was 14 days for men and 17 for women.

CONCLUSION

Probable causes of the rise in the number of hospital admissions for heart failure were the increasing median age of the population, higher survival rates after acute myocardial infarction and longer survival of persons with heart disease. Demographic changes and medical progress will probably lead to a further rise in morbidity and mortality and of costs of heart failure.