Abstract
Background: Obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2) is a major risk factor for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and affects most patients with HFpEF. Patients living with obesity may experience delays in HFpEF diagnosis and management. We aimed to understand the clinical journey of patients with obesity and HFpEF and the role of primary care providers (PCPs) in diagnosing and managing patients with both conditions. Methods: An anonymous, US population-based online survey was conducted in September 2020 among 114 patients with self-reported HFpEF and obesity and 200 healthcare providers, 61 of whom were PCPs who treat patients with HFpEF and obesity. Results: Half of patients (51%) with HFpEF reported waiting an average of 11 months to discuss their symptoms with a PCP; 11% then received their diagnosis from a PCP. PCPs initiated treatment and oversaw the management of HFpEF only 35% of the time, and 44% of PCPs discussed obesity treatment medication options with their patients. Only 20% of PCPs indicated they had received formal obesity management training, and 79% of PCPs indicated they would be interested in obesity management training and support. Conclusion: PCPs could play a valuable role in addressing obesity and referring patients with obesity and signs and symptoms of HFpEF to cardiologists. Increased awareness of HFpEF and its link to obesity may help PCPs more quickly identify and diagnose their patients with these conditions. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 288 |
Journal | BMC Primary Care |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2024 |
Funding
The authors thank Elizabeth Tanner, PhD, and Stephanie Burkhead, MPH, of KJT Group, Inc., Rochester, NY for providing medical writing support, which was funded by Novo Nordisk Inc., Plainsboro, NJ in accordance with Good Publication Practice (GPP 2022) guidelines. Novo Nordisk Inc. funded the study and had a role in the study design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, as well as writing support of the manuscript. This work was previously presented in part as a poster at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Sessions, (April 2\u20134, 2022, Washington, D.C., USA), the Society for General Internal Medicine (SGIM) conference, (April 6\u20139, 2022, Orlando, FL, USA), and the Cardiometabolic Health Congress (Oct. 19\u201322, 2022, Boston, MA, USA).
Keywords
- Heart failure
- Obesity management
- Primary Health Care
- Surveys and questionnaires
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Family Practice