Quality of life in physical health domains predicts adherence among myocardial infarction patients even after adjusting for depressive symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively study the relationship of quality of life (QOL) to adherence among myocardial infarction (MI) patients and also to determine if either QOL or depressive symptoms (DEP) has a primary role in predicting adherence.

METHODS

Acute-MI patients (N=285) were administered questionnaires on QOL, DEP, and adherence in-hospital and 4 months post-MI. The seven adherence behaviors measured included (1). following a low-salt diet, (2). following a low-fat or weight loss diet, (3). taking prescribed medication, (4). exercising regularly, (5). decreasing stress, (6). carrying medical supplies for self-care, and (7). trying to socialize more with others. Hierarchical regression analyses examined cross-sectional and prospective relations between adherence and both physical and mental health QOL domains. Each QOL domain was modeled as "adherence=QOL domain+DEP."

RESULTS

Physical health QOL was related to adherence using cross-sectional and prospective approaches even with DEP independently still related to adherence. Conversely, in separate models using cross-sectional and prospective approaches, mental health QOL was not related to adherence while DEP was related to adherence.

CONCLUSION

Focused attention on those with low scores in physical health QOL or greater DEP may be an efficient approach to improve adherence in patients recovering from an MI.