Health-related quality of life and associated factors in patients with myocardial infarction after returning to work: a cross-sectional study

Background Return to work following myocardial infarction (MI) represents an important indicator of recovery. However, MI can cause patients to feel pressure, loneliness and inferiority during work and even detachment from employment after returning to work, which may affect their quality of life. The aims of this study were to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with MI after returning to work and to examine the potential influences on HRQoL. Method This was a cross-sectional study. All participants were recruited from tertiary hospitals in China from October 2017 to March 2018. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to explore factors related to HRQoL in patients with MI after returning to work. Results The sample consisted of 326 patients. The mean total score of quality of life was 28.03±2.554. According to the multiple linear regression analysis, next factors were associated with HRQoL, i.e. age (P=0.039), income (P=0.000), co-morbidity (P=0.000), the time taken to return to work (P=0.003), number of stent installed (P=0.003), participation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) (P=0.000), complete CR (P=0.000), health responsibility (P=0.000), nutrition (P=0.000), exercise (P=0.000), self-realization (P=0.000), stress response (P=0.000), objective support (P=0.000), subjective support (P=0.000), utilization of social support (P=0.028), coping (P=0.000) and yield (P=0.000). Conclusions HRQoL of MI patients after returning to work is not satisfactory. Health behavior, coping strategies, social support are factors which can affect HRQoL. A comprehensive and targeted guide may be a means to improve HRQoL and to facilitate patients return to society.