Health-Related Quality of Life 2 Years After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

BACKGROUND AND RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this longitudinal study was to examine patient-perceived health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and depressive symptoms 2 years after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS) compared with the results from preoperative and 1 year postoperative data and to compare the 2-year follow-up data with Australian population normative scores. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighty-seven participants were recruited preoperatively, and their HRQOL was assessed before, 6 weeks, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Forty-eight participants completed both questionnaires 2 years after CABGS. Short Form-36 mean scores indicated an overall improvement in all aspects of HRQOL, with a statistically significant improvement in 5 of the SF-36 health domains and in the physical component summary (P <or= .05). Comparison of 1- and 2-year SF-36 scores revealed a moderate, nonsignificant deterioration in 6 of the health domains and in the physical component summary, whereas Mental Health and the Mental Component Summary showed a moderate, nonsignificant improvement. Two-year postoperative SF-36 scores were similar to normative scores of the Australian population with heart disease. Beck Depression Inventory mean scores were within the normal range (<or=9) at 2 years postoperatively and not significantly different from preoperative scores. The research has indicated that most of the participants had significant improvements in their perceived health status 2 years after CABGS and no significant depressive symptoms had been noted; however, it also raises questions as to why there may be some deterioration in health status between 1 and 2 years postoperatively. This has important implications for the planning of nursing care and patient education after CABGS.