Health-related quality of life after coronary artery bypass grafting. The impact of a randomised controlled home-based intervention program.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a home based intervention program (HBIP) on health related quality of life (HRQoL) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). To strengthen the clinical interpretation, HRQoL data were compared to the general population.

METHODS

In a randomised controlled trial (RCT), a total of 185 CABG patients (93 vs 92) completed the study. The intervention group received a HBIP 2 and 4 weeks after surgery. HRQoL was measured by the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) in both patient groups before surgery, at 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Significant improvements were found in both groups for the majority of subscales of HRQoL at 6-week and 6-month follow-up. However, these improvements did not differ significantly between the groups. Compared to the general population, significant differences (P < 0.05) were found for the SF-36 subscales: role physical, role emotional and bodily pain.

CONCLUSIONS

HRQoL after CABG improved markedly over time, but no significant or clinically important differences were found when compared with controls. Thus, work to further develop and test the effect of a HBIP on HRQoL in patients undergoing rehabilitation following CABG is warranted.