LAUSR

Introduction: Current research suggests racial differences exist in the utilization of guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) and prognosis in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Whether individual and community level socioeconomic status (SES) impacts prescription patterns of GDMT and prognosis in HFrEF has not been studied. Methods: We studied 669 ARIC participants with incident HFrEF (EF<50%) (mean age 77.6 (SD 6.5) years; 39% black; 46% women) during 2005-2017 (median 1.8 years of follow-up). We assessed the proportion of patients on optimal GDMT (defined as ß-blockers [BB] and ACE inhibitors [ACEI] or angiotensin receptor blockers [ARB]) or adequate GDMT (one of either BB, ACEI/ARB, aldosterone antagonists [AA], or hydralazine and nitrates [H-ISDN]) at hospital discharge by individual SES (education and income), neighborhood SES (area deprivation index: ADI) and their combination (Table). We also examined the contribution of GDMT prescription to prognosis overall, and by SES. Subsequently, we quantified the association of SES with mortality and re-hospitalization for HFrEF. Results: The proportion of patients prescribed optimal and adequate GDMT was 54% and 81%, respectively. BB were most frequently prescribed (83%), followed by ACEI/ARB (61%), AA (11%), and H-ISDN (9%). Overall, BB were associated with lower mortality, while H-ISDN were associated with higher mortality, compared to their non-use counterparts. ACEI/ARB were associated with lower re-hospitalization, compared to non-users of ACEI/ARB. The prescription of GDMT and the effect of GDMT on prognosis did not significantly differ by SES. Despite that, lower SES was independently associated with higher risk of mortality and re-hospitalization (Table). Conclusions: Overall, optimal GDMT was low at discharge, but did not differ by SES. Despite that, there were significant differences in death and re-hospitalization by SES, suggesting a potential need for tailored approaches to HFrEF management for low SES individuals.