Quality of life and its determinants in older patients with coronary artery disease

Background: The prevalence of older patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is increasing wich an ageing population, and their management remains a major therapeutic challenge. This population is often referred late for revascularization and is at the highest risk of intervention complications due to associated co-morbidities. Aim: To evaluate determinants of health-related quality of live (HRQoL) in older patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) attending a cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP). Methods: 250 CAD patients admitted for cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP) after 2 weeks after cardiac events (acute myocardial infarction (MI) or unstable angina pectoris) were invited to participate in the study. All patients (mean age 69.28 years, 66% male) were evaluated for demographic, clinical characteristics, NYHA functional class, cognitive functioning (MMSE), and HRQoL using the 36-item Short Form Medical Outcome Questionnaire (SF-36). Psychological Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D) symptoms. Physical capacity (PC) was evaluated using a standartized computer-driven bicycle ergometer with rising workload by 25 watts (W) every 3 minute. [...].