Predictors for Physical and Mental Health 6 Months After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: a Cohort Study

Background: Knowledge of predictors for health related quality of life (HRQoL) after coronary artery bypass grafting is limited.

Aim: To identify preoperative and postoperative factors related to physical and mental health status 6 months after surgery.

Methods: 185 patients completed the Short Form-36 survey preoperatively and 6 months after surgery. Multiple linear regression was used to identify significant independent predictors for both physical and mental health component summary scores 6 months after surgery.

Results: Significant predictors for physical health were preoperative physical status (PCS), marital status, hospitalised with acute myocardial infarction and serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) 1st postoperative day. Preoperative mental status (MCS and anxiety and/or depression symptoms) and postoperative pleural drainage were significant predictors of mental health 6 months after surgery.

Conclusion: This study identified predictors that have an impact on CABG patients' HRQoL 6 months after surgery. These predictors could cause elevated risk for morbidity and mortality. Clinicians have the opportunity to improve the HRQoL of CABG patients by targeting counselling and/or interventions focusing on the identified predictors.