Mortality risks associated with sibling heart failure. (15th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lindgren, Magnus P.; Ji, Jianguang; Smith, J. Gustav; Sundquist, Jan; Sundquist, Kristina; Zöller, Bengt
• Is Part Of: International journal of cardiology. Volume 307(2020)
• Page Start: 114
• Page End: 118
• Publication Date: 2020-05-15
• Subjects: Heart failure -- Family history -- Mortality -- Genetics -- Epidemiology; Heart failure (HF) -- Coronary heart disease (CHD) -- International Classification of Diseases (ICD) -- Incidence rate (IR) -- Person-years (PY) -- Hazard ratio (HR) -- Confidence interval (CI); Cardiology -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2019.10.022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-5273

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The mortality in individuals with a family history of heart failure (HF) has not been determined. This nationwide sib-pair study aimed to determine mortality in individuals with a sibling affected with HF. Methods: Sib-pairs were linked using the Swedish Multi-Generation Register, the Hospital Discharge Register and the Cause of Death Register for the period 1987–2012. Families with cardiomyopathy or congenital heart disease were excluded. Mortality hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for siblings of individuals who had been diagnosed with HF compared with siblings of individuals unaffected by HF as the reference group. Similar analyses were made for spouses. HRs were determined for overall mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and death of unknown cause. Results: Among siblings, the adjusted HR for overall mortality was 1.21 (95% CI 1.18–1.25). This risk remained (HR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.15–1.23) also among subjects without HF themselves. The adjusted HRs for cardiovascular mortality and death of unknown cause were 1.39 (95% CI 1.32–1.45) and 1.58 (95% CI 1.29–1.95), respectively. The mortality risk associations with spousal HF were all minimal, with an overall mortality HR of 1.02 (1.01–1.02). Early sibling age of onset of HF < 50 years was associated with higher HRs for overall mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and death of unknown cause, 1.33 (1.27–1.41), 1.54 (1.40–1.68) and 1.84 (1.27–2.67), respectively. Conclusions: Sibling HF, especially early-onset HF, is associated with increased mortality. The low risk in spouses suggests genetic factors might be of importance. Screening for HF, and cardiovascular disease in general, in these individuals may be warranted. Highlights: Heart failure is a common, partly hereditary, condition with high mortality. This study found an increased risk of death in relatives to heart failure patients. The risk of death of unknown cause was especially high. The results of this study can help identify individuals with a higher risk of death.