[Quality of life changes after coronary artery bypass graft surgery]

To compare the quality of life at baseline and at 6 months after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and investigate the related risk factors.

The prospective study included 210 consecutive patients undergoing CABG between November 2008 and March 2010, who met inclusion criteria and completed short form-36 (SF-36) health status survey at baseline and at 6 months after CABG. Change of quality of life and influencing factors on quality of life were analyzed.

Eight domains including physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional and mental health and two component summaries including physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of SF-36 were significantly improved at 6 months following CABG (all P<0.01). Moreover, the improvement on PCS was significantly higher compared to MCS (80.0% vs. 68.6%, P<0.01). Advanced age (P<0.05) and lower PCS score (P<0.01) prior to CABG were independent predictors of low PCS after CABG, while MCS could not be predicted by pre-CABG status (P>0.05).

The findings demonstrate quality of life is significantly improved at 6 months post CABG. Advanced age and lower PCS score prior to CABG are linked with low PCS after CABG.