Influence of social support and stressful life events on quality of life in female patients with acute coronary syndrome

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to examine the effects of social support and stressful life events on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in female patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods The subjects were 260 ACS (including acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina) female patients in Cardiovascular Department in a level three class A hospital from January 2014 to July 2015. Study group included acute myocardial infarction patients and unstable angina patients. The general condition questionnaire, the 36-item short form medical outcome questionnaire (SF-36), social readjustment rating scale and multidimensional scale of perceived social support were used as measurement tools. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between domain of HRQoL and general condition, stressful life events and perceived social support. Results In female patients with ACS, both physical and psychological domains of the HRQoL were associated only with social characteristics, especially with perceived social support. Conclusions Perceived social support and stressful life events have independent significant effects on the HRQoL in female patients with ACS. When planning cardiac rehabilitation programs, special attention should be paid to patients who experience high levels of stress and have low social support. Key words: Acute coronary syndrome; Quality of life; Social support; Stressful life events; Female