The impact of gastrointestinal symptoms on health status in patients with cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Background: Drugs for the management of cardiovascular disease may provoke gastrointestinal discomfort and complications. Aim: To evaluate whether upper gastrointestinal symptoms affect the health status of patients with cardiovascular disease. Methods: Two weeks after discharge, 958 consecutive patients, who had been admitted to the Coronary Care Unit of the University Hospital Nijmegen between January and September 2001, were sent a questionnaire for the evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms and health status. Results: The questionnaire was returned by 632 patients (66%), with 334 patients (53%) reporting gastrointestinal symptoms. The self-rated health status (mean and 95% confidence interval), evaluated by visual analogue scale, was 70 (68-72) for patients without and 61 (59-63) for patients with gastrointestinal symptoms (P = 0.001). Patients with gastrointestinal symptoms reported significantly higher rates of problems with mobility (50% vs. 37%), self-care (19% vs. 10%), usual activities (70% vs. 52%). pain/discomfort (96% vs. 38%) and anxiety/depression (41% vs. 20%) when compared with those without gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusion: Upper gastrointestinal symptoms strongly impaired the health status of patients with cardiovascular disease.