Anxiety and health-related quality of life after cardiac surgery

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of elective cardiac surgery on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Material and methods: One hundred and eight (35 women and 73 men, mean age 62.3 ±12.7 years) patients undergoing open heart surgery were enrolled in the study. Physical and mental domains of quality of life were measured using the 36-item Medical Outcomes Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) self-administered questionnaire, and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). At baseline 108 patients filled out the SF-36 and STAI, and 102 patients at 6-month follow-up. Results: It was found that there was significant improvement in three out of eight health domains: physical functioning (p < 0.02), role physical (p < 0.01), and social functioning (p < 0.04), at 6-month follow-up. The two STAI sub-scores: the State Anxiety Inventory and the Trait Anxiety Inventory were found to be high (≥ 40) both preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Postoperatively there was not any statistically significant decrease in the levels of anxiety. Conclusions: This study suggests that the assessment of psychosocial factors , particularly the ongoing assessment of anxiety, could help in risk strat-ification and prediction of functional status and HRQoL in patients after car-diovascular surgery. Furthermore, the assessment of preoperative well-being should be integrated in routine care in order to identify and support patients with higher levels of anxiety.