Prognostic factors related to angina frequency and health-related quality of life during the recovery period in patients with acute myocardial infarction: A follow-up study

Background and Objective: Angina frequency (AF) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are important outcomesof acute myocardial infarction (AMI) survivors. The aim of this study was to identify the specific characteristics relatedto the changes of AF and HRQoL among AMI patients after treatment.Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study of 102 AMI patients in Taiwan. Data were collected at baseline and1 month (T2), 3 months (T3), and 6 months (T4) after treatment. AF was assessed using the Seattle Angina Questionnaire(SAQ). The HRQoL was evaluated with the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). The generalized estimatingequation (GEE) model explored the prognostic factors related to the changes in AF and HRQoL.Results: Patients who received PCI had a reduction of the changes in AF compared with those in non-PCI group frombaseline to T2 (B: -15.70, p < 0.05), T3 (B: -21.50, p < 0.05) and T4 (B: -22.91, p < 0.05). Occlusive vessels negativelyassociated with the changes in physical HRQoL from baseline to T3 (B: -11.44, p < 0.001) and T4 (B: -11.53, p < 0.05).Patients who had longer hospital stay (B: 0.86, p < 0.001) and jobs (B: 5.88, p < 0.05) showed better physical HRQoLfrom baseline to T3. Patients who were older (B: -4.56, p < 0.05) and unemployment (B: -6.86, p < 0.05) reportedworse mental HRQoL.Conclusion: Higher risk AMI patients such as PCI therapy, older age, and occlusive vessels would take care carefullyfor promoting HRQoL and AF.