| Variable | PREFEER n = 36 | Control n = 36 | P |
| Age | 81.9 ± 7.2 | 76.6 ± 10.2 | 0.01 |
| Gender |
|
|
|
| Female | 10 (27.8) | 11 (30.6) | 0.80 |
| Male | 26 (72.2) | 25 (69.4) | 0.80 |
| Marital status |
|
|
|
| Single | 14 (39.0) | 14 (39.0) | 1.00 |
| Married/Cohabiting | 22 (61.0) | 22 (61.0) | 1.00 |
| Smoking |
|
|
|
| Never | 13 (36.1) | 14 (38.9) | 0.81 |
| Former | 21 (58.3) | 17 (47.2) | 0.35 |
| Actual/unknown | 2 (5.6) | 5 (13.8) | 0.23 |
| Alcohol |
|
|
|
| Never | 15 (41.7) | 13 (36.1) | 0.09 |
| Regular use | 16 (44.4) | 17 (47.2) | 0.41 |
| Unknown | 5 (13.9) | 6 (16.7) | 0.26 |
| History of primary cardiovascular disease for CHF | 26 (77.2) | 26 (77.2) | 1.00 |
| Hypertension | 9 (25.0) | 9 (25.0) | 1.00 |
| Ischemic Heart disease | 13 (36.1) | 13 (36.1) | 1.00 |
| Valve disease | 1 (2.8) | 1 (2.8) | 1.00 |
| Other (e.g., cardiomyopathy) | 3 (8.4) | 3 (8.4) | 1.00 |
| Unknown | 10 (28.0) | 10 (28.0) | 1.00 |
| Other illness in health history |
|
|
|
| History of atrial fibrillation/flutter | 23 (63.9) | 22 (61.1) | 0.81 |
| History of pulmonary disorder | 15 (41.7) | 18 (50.0) | 0.48 |
| History of stroke | 14 (38.9) | 12 (33.3) | 0.56 |
| Renal disorder | 10 (27.8) | 11 (30.6) | 0.57 |
| Depression | 6 (16.7) | 12 (33.3) | 0.30 |
| Diabetes | 13 (19.4) | 8 (16.6) | 0.07 |
| History of malignancy | 6 (16.7) | 2 (5.6) | 0.13 |
| New York Heart Association class |
|
|
|