The Association Between Health Related Quality of Life and Five Year Mortality in Patients with ST-Elevated Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Introduction: There is a lack of studies focusing on the association between health related quality of life (HRQoL) and mortality. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the association between HRQoL and mortality of patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients and Methods: Ninety-two patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI with committed 6-month follow-up were included to the study. In the 6-month follow-up visit, EQ5D questionnaire, which is valid internationally and is also valid for studies performed in Turkey for acute coronary syndromes, was filled by patients after obtaining their demographical and clinical findings. Data analyzes were performed after 5-year follow-up. Mortality of the patients whose clinical visits could not be performed evaluated by contacting with their relatives. Results: Our study is the first study which evaluates the association between HRQoL and long-term survival in patients with STEMI. The mean age was 56.96 ± 12.61 and 81 (88%) of the population were males. Mortality was observed in 12 patients after 5 years. The mean Index score was 0.903 ± 0.145 and the mean Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score was 80.58 ± 16.03. The means of the Index score and VAS score were lower in patients with mortality (p= 0.008 and p= 0.011, respectively). Both Index and VAS Scale scores were significantly associated with mortality (p= 0.002, ki-kare: 9.918; p= 0.008, ki-kare= 7.112, respectively). It was revealed by backward stepwise Cox regression analysis that the presence of an Index score ≤ 0.9 is associated with mortality [p= 0.005; HR= 5.546 (1.668-18.443)]. Conclusion: According to our analysis, lower HRQoL scores are associated with mortality. EQ5D index score is an independent predictor of the long-term mortality in patients with STEMI treated by PCI.