Aims: To investigate if the previously reported lack of recovery in Health-Re lated Quality of Life(HRQOL), in myocardial infarction, patients, would be long lasting. Methods: Of 72 consecutive patients(19%women) with a mean age of 59 ye ars, 65 consented to participate in a follow-up 1 and 2 years after their first myocardial infarction. HRQOL was assessed by selfadministered questionnaires(SF -36, Cardiac Health Profile and Zung Depression Inventory). Results: For the ag e group < 59 years, there was no statistically significant recovery in SF-36 Me ntal Component Summary scores over time. There were improvements in Physical Com ponent Summary scores, from baseline to 12 and to 24 months(p=0.006 and p< 0.001 , respectively) and from 6 to 24 months(p=0.044). This group reached community n orms in Physical Component Summary scores after 2 years but scored significantly below norms in Mental Component Summary scores throughout with an effect size o f -0.5(CI -0.88 to -0.14) at 2 years. In patients ≥59 years, no changes took place after 6 months. At 2 years, factors Emotional and Social Functioning in t he Cardiac Health Profile showed statistically significant differences between g roups (p=0.03 and p=0.05, respectively) demonstrating poorer quality of life in the age group < 59 years. Conclusions: In younger patients, a clinically importa nt poorer effect on Health-Related Quality of life is still present 2 years aft er an acute myocardial infarction.
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