Health status predicts long-term outcome in outpatients with coronary disease

Although patient-reported health status measures have been used as end points in clinical trials, they are rarely used in other settings. Demonstrating that they independently predict mortality and hospitalizations among outpatients with coronary disease could emphasize their clinical value.

This study evaluated the prognostic utility of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ), a disease-specific health status measure for patients with coronary artery disease. Patients were enrolled in a prospective cohort study from 6 Veterans Affairs General Internal Medicine Clinics. All patients reporting coronary artery disease who completed a SAQ and had 1 year of follow-up were analyzed (n=5558). SAQ predictor variables were the physical limitation, angina stability, angina frequency, and quality-of-life scores. The primary outcome was 1-year all-cause mortality, and a secondary outcome was hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Lower SAQ scores were associated with increased risks of mortality and ACS admissions. Prognostic models controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics demonstrated significant independent mortality risk with lower SAQ physical limitation scores; odds ratios for mild, moderate, and severe limitation were 1.5, 2.0, and 4.0 versus minimal limitation (P<0.001). Odds ratios for mild, moderate, and severe angina frequency were 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 (P=0.078). The odds ratios for ACS admission among those with mild, moderate, and severe angina frequency were 1.4, 2.0, and 2.2, respectively (P=0.016).

SAQ scores are independently associated with 1-year mortality and ACS among outpatients with coronary disease and may serve a valuable role in the risk stratification of such patients.