Changes in health-related quality of life among patients with coronary artery disease: a 2-year follow-up

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in health-related quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease according to age, gender, and treatment method.
Material and methods. The study enrolled 167 patients after acute myocardial infarction (MI), percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The mean age was 59.3 years; there were 71.9% of males. General health-related quality of life was measured using the SF-36 questionnaire. Patients were examined at the beginning of rehabilitation and after 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month follow-up. Effect sizes were computed to assess the changes in health-related quality of life over time.
Results. Health-related quality of life significantly improved at 6 months, but improvements did not continue over time. The largest effect size was seen in the pain domain. Effect sizes were greater in the physical health domains among male patients and among female patients in the mental health domain. With regard to age, effect sizes were greater in the physical functioning domain among older patients. With regard to treatment method, at baseline, the CABG patients had the poorest healthrelated quality of life; however, the largest effect sizes were seen in this group.
Conclusions. Health-related quality of life improved over 2 years; the greatest improvement was seen at 6 months. Males better improved on the physical component summary domain; there was no significant improvement in the mental component summary domain in males and females. Older patients improved better on the physical activity and physical component summary domains. Changes in health-related quality of life were related to treatment method.