Hospital-acquired disability in older heart failure patients decreases independence and increases difficulties in activities of daily living

Aims The aim of this study was to clarify whether worsening of independence in activities of daily living (ADL) and also difficulties in ADL are triggered by hospitalization in older patients with heart failure (HF) and whether difficulties in ADL can predict readmission for HF regardless of independence in ADL in these patients. Methods and results We enrolled 241 HF patients in the present multi-institutional, prospective, observational study. The patients were divided according to age into the non-older patient group ( Conclusions Worsening of both independence and difficulties in ADL was triggered by hospitalization in older HF patients, and difficulties in ADL were relevant factors for risk of rehospitalization regardless of independence in ADL. These findings indicate the importance of preventing not only decreased independence but also increased difficulties in ADL during and after hospitalization.