Factors affecting health-related quality of life after coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract

Abstract Background Cardiovascular diseases are one of the major causes of mortality in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 17.9 million people die annually due to cardiovascular diseases worldwide. The most common cardiovascular disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which involves the narrowing or blockage of the heart arteries as a result of atherosclerosis. Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is a common surgical approach for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), which improves symptoms and survival, and expected to enhance Health-Related quality of life (HR-QoL). Patients, even after recovery from GABG, may have physical and psychological limitations that reduce HR-QoL. Aim The investigation of factors that affecting the HR-QoL of people after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The secondary aim of the study was the investigation of demographic or clinical factors, physical activity, stress or depression may affect the HR-QoL of people after CABG. Methods This is a descriptive correlational study with a cross-sectional design. Data were collected from the cardiac surgery department of two large general hospitals in Cyprus after consent from both, the management and their ethics committee. The study sample (N=56) included all patients who had undergone CABG surgery from January to June 2022. At, the patients completed a questionnaire at three to six months postoperatively. The data collection tool included: Demographic and Clinical Characteristics Record Form, the SF12 Health Survey Tool for assessing the Health-Related Quality of Life (HR-QoL) of patients, the HADS Tool for evaluating the anxiety and depression levels of patients, and the IPAQ tool for assessing Physical Activity. Descriptive statistic was used for the analysis and presentation of the data and ANOVA analysis to investigate the factors that affect the health-related quality of life. Results Gender (64.2±19.3 vs. 49.8±11.9, p<0.05) and education level (78.5±6.7) (P<0.05) were both found to influence HR-QoL. Other factors that affect the HR-QoL of subjects after CABG are intense physical activity, increased anxiety levels, severe depression and patient's symptoms such as dyspnea (53.3±18.6 vs. 64.6±18.4, p<0.05) and orthopnea (45.4±17.4 vs. 65.6±17.3, p<0.05). Conclusion The identification of the factors that were found to affect the HR-QoL of patients after coronary artery bypass grafting enlighten health professionals where they should pay attention when they develop rehabilitation programs.