Patients with ischemic heart disease: quality of life predicts long-term mortality.

OBJECTIVE

We have investigated whether perceived quality of life has an impact on long-term survival after a cardiac event.

DESIGN

Male (n = 316) and female (n = 97) patients were assessed by means of a self-administered quality of life questionnaire 1 year after either acute myocardial infarction (n = 296), coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (n = 99) or percutaneous coronary intervention (n = 18). Inclusion period was 1989-1991. Ten years after the last patient answered the 1-year questionnaire, mortality (status factor) up to census date was analysed using nine dimensions of quality of life as covariates (Cox regression).

RESULTS

At 1-year assessment, subjective general health (RR = 3.15), perceived arrhythmia (RR = 1.72), experience of sex life (RR = 1.55), perceived breathlessness (RR = 1.50) and experience of self-esteem (RR = 1.48) were all significantly related to death within the period up to census date.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight that the patients' own experience of his or her quality of life, has a prognostic importance for long-term mortality after a cardiac event. Clinicians should be aware that a careful monitoring of perceived quality of life is an important part of good patient care.