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Differences in quality of life in men and women with ischemic heart disease. A prospective controlled study
L Westin1, R Carlsson, L Erhardt
1Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
Insights
Female patients report poorer quality of life (QL) after cardiac events compared to males. Healthcare providers should consider these gender-specific QL differences in secondary prevention and patient management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Quality of life (QL) is a crucial outcome measure following cardiac events.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated gender-specific differences in QL post-myocardial infarction (MI) or revascularization procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate gender-based differences in somatic and psychological quality of life (QL) among patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), coronary artery by-pass grafting (CABG), and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).
- To compare QL between cardiac patients and a healthy control group.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study in Sweden (1989-1992) assessed QL using self-administered questionnaires.
- Data collected one month and one year post-event from 376 and 349 patients, respectively.
- Comparison with 88 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Cardiac patients reported significantly poorer QL than controls, particularly at one month post-event.
- Female patients experienced worse QL than male patients in multiple dimensions at both one month and one year.
- A substantial proportion of patients (19-45%) showed a decline in QL from one month to one year.
Conclusions:
- Quality of life (QL) outcomes after cardiac events differ significantly between genders.
- Female patients may require tailored support and attention in secondary prevention strategies.
- Clinical management should incorporate awareness of these gender-specific QL trajectories.
Abstract:
A study was conducted in Sweden in 1989-1992 to evaluate differences in quality of life (QL) in consecutive male and female patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), coronary artery by-pass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Somatic and psychological dimensions of QL were assessed by self-administered questionnaire in patients one month (n = 376) and one year (n = 349) after the cardiac event. Normal controls (n = 88) were used for comparison. Differences between gender groups, as well as between study patients and controls in somatic and psychological dimensions of QL were studied. Patients were shown to experience poorer QL when compared with demographically similar controls, especially at the one-month assessment. Female patients had poorer QL after one month (in general health, feeling of arrythmia, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, experience of sex life) and after one year (general health, anxiety, depression) compared with male patients. In all dimensions of QL a proportion of patients (19-45%) experienced a decrease in QL from the one-month to the one-year assessment occasion. Healthcare workers concerned with secondary prevention must be aware that QL differs between male and female patients in several dimensions after a cardiac event. These findings should be taken into account in the clinical management of patients, particularly for female patients who may need special attention.