Association of marital/partner status and patient-reported outcomes following myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aims Little is known about the relationship between marital/partner status and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following myocardial infarction (MI). We conducted a systematic review/meta-analysis and explored potential sex differences. Methods and results We searched five databases (Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, and PsycINFO) from inception to 27 July 2022. Peer-reviewed studies of MI patients that evaluated marital/partner status as an independent variable and reported its associations with defined PROMs were eligible for inclusion. Results for eligible studies were classified into four pre-specified outcome domains [health-related quality of life (HRQoL), functional status, symptoms, and personal recovery (i.e. self-efficacy, adherence, and purpose/hope)]. Study quality was appraised using Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, and data were synthesized by outcome domains. We conducted subgroup analysis by sex. We included 34 studies (n = 16 712), of which 11 were included in meta-analyses. Being married/partnered was significantly associated with higher HRQoL {six studies [n = 2734]; pooled standardized mean difference, 0.37 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.12–0.63], I2 = 51%} but not depression [three studies (n = 2005); pooled odds ratio, 0.72 (95% CI, 0.32–1.64); I2 = 65%] or self-efficacy [two studies (n = 356); pooled β, 0.03 (95% CI, −0.09 to 0.14); I2 = 0%]. The associations of marital/partner status with functional status, personal recovery outcomes, and symptoms of anxiety and fatigue were mixed. Sex differences were not evident due to mixed results from the available studies. Conclusions Married/partnered MI patients had higher HRQoL than unpartnered patients, but the associations with functional, symptom, and personal recovery outcomes and sex differences were less clear. Our findings inform better methodological approaches and standardized reporting to facilitate future research on these relationships.