Geriatric assessment exposes hidden vulnerabilities in older heart failure patients
This cross-sectional study demonstrates that older adults with heart failure carry a substantially higher burden of frailty, cognitive impairment, polypharmacy, and functional decline than non-heart-failure peers, arguing for routine comprehensive geriatric assessment in this population.
Identify hidden vulnerabilities in older adults with heart failure.
Heart failure (HF) in older adults often coexists with multiple geriatric syndromes, complicating their management and care planning. Participants with HF had significantly slower physical performance (Five-Times Sit-to-Stand Test: 12.7 s vs. 11.7 s; p = 0.002), lower functional capacity (SPPB: 10.0 vs. 11.0; p = 0.016), and higher prevalence of frailty (31.5% vs. 18.9%; p = 0.009), cognitive impairment (29.3% vs. 14.3%; p = 0.001), and polypharmacy (88.0% vs. 57.9%; p < 0.001). Incorporating a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) into HF management may identify unrecognized vulnerabilities, allowing for tailored multidisciplinary interventions to improve outcomes. CGA reveals significant unmet needs in older adults with HF, highlighting areas for targeted intervention.
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Authors:Kiliç C, Demir R, Yilmaz Aykent Ö, Yiğit Z, Küçükdağli P, Özulu Türkmen B, Bahat G, Karan MA
Citation:Kiliç C, Demir R, Yilmaz Aykent Ö, et al. Comprehensive geriatric assessment identifies multidimensional vulnerabilities in older adults with heart failure. Turkish journal of medical sciences. 2026;56(3):687-697. doi:10.55730/1300-0144.6202
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Executive Summary
Study Design
Patient Population
Primary Outcomes
Secondary Outcomes & Safety Profile
Pharmacist Implications
Clinical Pearls
Limitations
Controversies & Evidence Gaps
Cost & Logistics
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