The Relationship Between Illness Perception and Quality of life in Iranian Patients with Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

Abstract

Background: Patient's illness perception is formed base on Patient's beliefs and perceived information about their conditions and it may influence the individual's mental health and how the patients deal with the medical conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between illness perception and quality of life in patients with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Methods: For this purpose, 82 patients (51 men and 31 women) who underwent CABG from October 2010 to May 2011 in four different hospitals in Tehran were selected as sample. The patients were evaluated with the brief illness perception questionnaire (Brief IPQ) and after three months follow up were assessed with 36-item Short-Form quality of life questionnaire (SF-36). Data was analyzed by Pearson correlation and multiple variable regression models. Findings: A relationship between illness perception and quality of life in patients with CABG was observed (r=0.445, p<0.01). The results showed that 31% of variation in quality of life is predicted by illness perception components (R Square=0.31, p<0.01). Regression model showed that the identity, concerns about illness, ability of illness awareness and emotions components of illness perception can predict quality of life variation. Conclusion: This study showed that there is a relationship between illness perception and quality of life in patients with coronary artery bypass graft. These results can be helpful in devising proactive policies, identifying high risk patients and planning for psychological interventions.