Clinical characteristics of the comorbidity of heart failure and osteoporosis: analysis of data from a comparative observational study

Aim. To identify the clinical features of the comorbidity of heart failure (HF) and osteoporosis in elderly women seen in primary care.

Material and methods. The study included 53 female patients aged 60 years and older (72 [68; 79] years) observed by a general practitioner. The study cohort was strati­fied into two following groups based on HF: HF group (n=24, 45%) and comparison group (n=29, 55%). All patients underwent a 10-year fracture risk assessment using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The Clinical Assessment Scale, Charlson Comorbidity Index, Age Is No Barrier Questionnaire, Falls Efficacy Scale, and the Get Up and Go Test were used for clinical evaluation.

Results. The patient groups were comparable by age (p=0,184). Osteoporosis was significantly more frequently detected in patients with HF, according to densitometry data, compared to the group without HF (45,8% vs 17,2%; p=0,05). Patients with HF were characterized by lower body mass index (BMI), higher comorbidity, and more severe geriatric status impairments, including fear of falls (p=0,024) and mobility impairment (p<0,001). According to densitometry data, female patients with HF had lower bone mineral density (BMD) (p=0,020) and left hip T-score after adjusting for BMI (p=0,033). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent factors associated with osteoporosis were lower BMI (odds ratio (OR) 0,83; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0,71-0,97) and HF (OR 0,14; 95% CI 0,04-0,54).

Conclusion. HF is associated with an increased risk of comorbidities, including BMD disorders. In the present study, osteoporosis in women was associated with lower BMI and HF, which retained independent significance in multivariate analysis. The obtained data emphasize the importance of a comprehensive assessment of somatic status in the management of patients with HF.

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