Socioeconomic, Psychosocial and Behavioral Characteristics of Patients Hospitalized With Cardiovascular Disease

Matthew E. Dupre, Alicia Nelson, Scott M. Lynch, Bradi B. Granger, Hanzhang Xu, Erik Churchill, Janese M. Willis, Lesley H. Curtis, Eric D. Peterson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Recent studies have drawn attention to nonclinical factors to better understand disparities in the development, treatment and prognosis of patients with cardiovascular disease. However, there has been limited research describing the nonclinical characteristics of patients hospitalized for cardiovascular care. Methods: Data for this study come from 520 patients admitted to the Duke Heart Center from January 1, 2015 through January 10, 2017. Electronic medical records and a standardized survey administered before discharge were used to ascertain detailed information on patients' demographic (age, sex, race, marital status and living arrangement), socioeconomic (education, employment and health insurance), psychosocial (health literacy, health self-efficacy, social support, stress and depressive symptoms) and behavioral (smoking, drinking and medication adherence) attributes. Results: Study participants were of a median age of 65 years, predominantly male (61.4%), non-Hispanic white (67.1%), hospitalized for 5.11 days and comparable to all patients admitted during this period. Results from the survey showed significant heterogeneity among patients in their demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral characteristics. We also found that the patients' levels of psychosocial risks and resources were significantly associated with many of these nonclinical characteristics. Patients who were older, women, nonwhite and unmarried had generally lower levels of health literacy, self-efficacy and social support, and higher levels of stress and depressive symptoms than their counterparts. Conclusions: Patients hospitalized with cardiovascular disease have diverse nonclinical profiles that have important implications for targeting interventions. A better understanding of these characteristics will enhance the personalized delivery of care and improve outcomes in vulnerable patient groups.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)565-572
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican Journal of the Medical Sciences
Volume354
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Hospitalization
  • Nonclinical factors
  • Psychosocial factors
  • Socioeconomic status

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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