The factors of quality of life among patients after myocardial infarction in Poland: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background Health-related quality of life (HRQoL)is a multidimensional concept that considers the physical, emotional and social impact of disease on a patient’s life.Cardiovascular diseases, due to their prevalence as well as social and economic effects, are a special group in which the assessment of quality of life should be performed. This study aimed to examine the level of quality of life (QoL) in patients after myocardial infarction (MI) in relation to sociodemographic factors and the degree of functioning in chronic disease. Methods This was a cross-sectional, single-centre study carried out between June 2021 and June 2022. The study was conducted among 231 patients who were hospitalized for myocardial infarction (MI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Racibórz Medical Center. The WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL BREF) andthe Chronic Disease Functioning Scale(FCIS) were used. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results The quality of life level was intermediate (range 5.44–5.53).The analysis showed statistically significant differences in the average QoL level depending on higher education levels and the prevalence of diabetes and other chronic diseases(p < 0.05). The analysis using Spearman's correlation coefficient showed a statistically significant correlation (coefficient value 0.5 < |r/rho| ≤ 0.7) between general functioning in chronic disease and the average QoL (rho = 0.56;p < 0.001)and somatic QoL levels(rho = 0.52;p < 0.001), as well as a moderately strong positive correlation with the QoL level on the psychological domain (rho = 0.50;p < 0.001), social domain (rho = 0.48;p < 0.001) and environmental domain (rho = 0.43;p < 0.001). Conclusion The identification of indicators of lower physical and mental HRQoL in patients with MI allows for targeted counselling and secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease (IHD), which translates into a reduction in the risk of further cardiovascular events and related rehospitalization. Therefore, the assessment of HRQoL should be considered a central indicator of the need for medical services, the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and the effects of cardiac rehabilitation on patients after MI.