IMPACT OF AGE ON IMPROVEMENT IN HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE 5 YEARS AFTER CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING

Authors: Herlitz J.; Wiklund I.; Sjöland H.; Karlson B. W.; Karlsson T.; Haglid M.; Hartford M.; Caidahl K.

Source: Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, Volume 32, Number 1, 29 June 2000 , pp. 41-48(8)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $34.29 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

The aim of this study was to describe the relief of symptoms and improvement in other aspects of health-related quality of life 5 years after coronary artery by-pass grafting in relation to age. Patients in western Sweden were approached with an inquiry prior to surgery and 5 years after the operation. Health-related quality of life was estimated with 3 different instruments: Physical Activity Score (PAS), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB). Prior to surgery patients were approached either in the ward or by post and 5 years after surgery they were approached by post. A total of 1719 patients were available for the survey, of whom 876 (51%) responded to the survey both prior to and after 5 years. Among the 876 respondents 287 were <60 years, 331 were 60-67 years and 258 were >67 years. In terms of physical activity, chest pain and dyspnoea, a similar improvement was observed regardless of age. In terms of health-related quality of life questionnaires, there was an inverse association between age and improvement when using PAS and a similar trend was observed with NHP and PGWB. In conclusion, 5 years after coronary artery bypass grafting relief of symptoms and improvement in physical activity was not associated with age, whereas improvement in other aspects of health-related quality of life tended to be less marked in elderly people. Overall age seemed to have a small impact on the improved well-being 5 years after coronary surgery. However, due to the limited response rate the results may not be applicable to a non-selected coronary artery bypass grafting population.

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Division of Cardiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden

Publication date: 2000-06-29

More about this publication?