Quality of life in patients related to gender differences before and after coronary artery bypass surgery

Abstract

Objective: The different aspects of quality of life (QOL) in patients of different sex structure have been examined as well as the presumption that sex structure could be a predictor of QOL changes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: The study included 243 consecutive patients who underwent an elective CABG. The QOL analysis was performed by using structured interviews with the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) questionnaire part 1. Results: Compared to men, women had worse preoperative QOL (in all sections except the section of sleep) and worse postoperative QOL (in all sections). Six months after CABG the QOL statistically improved in men and in women. Multivariate analysis showed that being female was an independent predictor of QOL worsening in section of pain [P=0.001, odds ratio (OR)=3.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.74-8.88]. Conclusions: Compared to men, women have worse preoperative and postoperative QOL. Female sex was an independent predictor of QOL worsening six months after CABG.