Victoria Vaughan Dickson|George J. Knafl|Joyce Wald|Bárbara Riegel
Racial Differences in Clinical Treatment and Self?Care Behaviors of Adults With Chronic Heart Failure
New York University|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|University of Pennsylvania|University of Pennsylvania
united states highest prevalence heart failure hf blacks followed whites compared whites blacks higher risk hfrelated morbidity mortality hfrelated hospitalization little research focused explaining reasons disparities purpose study examine racial differences demographic clinical characteristics blacks whites hf determine characteristics influenced treatment together treatment influenced selfcare behaviorsthis secondary analysis existing data collected adults n272 chronic hf enrolled outpatient sites northeastern united states followed 6 months adjusting sociodemographic clinical characteristics within reduced hfref preserved ejection fraction hfpef groups 2 significant racial differences clinical treatment blacks hfref prescribed ace inhibitors hydralazine isosorbide dinitrate hisdn often whites hfpef group blacks taking medications prescribed digoxin diuretic symptomatic deficits hf knowledge decreased medication adherence objectively measured prominent blacks racial differences explained sociodemographic clinical characteristics clinical treatment variables premorbid intellect quality support received contributed clinical treatment selfcarealthough differences clinical treatment could attributed solely race knowledge hf medication adherence lower blacks whites research needed explain observations may targets future intervention research