[Life satisfaction and the course of rehabilitation--a study of cardiovascular patients]

At the beginning and at the end of inpatient cardiac rehabilitation, 105 male cardiac patients were examined with a newly designed questionnaire for life satisfaction assessment (Fragebogen zur Lebenszufriedenheit-FLZ). Data collection moreover included the Freiburg Personality Inventory, the Freiburg Somatic Complaints Lists, an adjective list assessing current mood, questionnaires on anamnestic data, treatment expectancies and life habits, as well as medical data. Significant correlations found between the FLZ and subjective or objective criteria of rehabilitation outcome indicate the importance of life satisfaction, with more content patients showing better outcomes. No mean value differences were found in respect of medical data, less content patients, however, reported more previous hospital stays and rehabilitation treatments. Also, there is a tendency for physician to discharge these patients as "unfit for work". 83 of these 105 patients participated in the follow-up study twelve months later. Life satisfaction is now lower, somatic complaints and emotional lability have increased. 90 percent of the patients with high life satisfaction, but only 66 percent of those with low life satisfaction, are back at work on follow-up. Fitness for work at follow-up, though primarily related to the rating given at the end of inpatient cardiac rehabilitation, is influenced to a high degree by non-medical factors. The results obtained underline the significance of patient illness behaviour, and point to a need for further improving individual psychological counseling during cardiac rehabilitation.