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The coronary artery bypass experience: gender differences
Patricia A Keresztes1, Sharon L Merritt, Karyn Holm
1Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, Indiana, USA.
Objective:
The primary purpose of this study was to examine differences between women and men on physical, social and psychological domains of health quality of life before, 1 month after, and 3 months after coronary artery bypass surgery.
Design:
A prospective, longitudinal design was used.
Setting:
The study was conducted at a Midwestern, 500-bed community hospital with an ongoing cardiothoracic surgical program.
Participants:
Forty pairs of women and men matched on age within 5 years and body surface area within 0.1m 2.
Instruments:
The physical, social and psychological domains of health quality of life were assessed using the following instruments: Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index, Specific Activity Scale, Symptom Scale, Profile of Mood States, Overall Health Rating Index, and Personal Resource Questionnaire.
Results:
Both women and men improved on physical and psychological measures following coronary artery bypass surgery. Compared with men, women reported more shortness of breath and depression and lower ratings of activity, vigor, and overall health. Measures of social support yielded little information.
Conclusions:
Despite matching for age and body surface area, women did not have as favorable an outcome after surgery as men. Continued research needs to further examine the interaction of physical outcomes and depression in women after coronary artery bypass surgery.