Abstract 146: Demographic and Clinical Characteristics Associated with Patient Perceptions of Being Cured Following Hospitalization for Acute Coronary Syndromes: Preliminary Results from TRACE-CORE and TRACE-CARE

Background: Recent decades have seen improvements in treatment for acute coronary syndromes (ACS), reduced mortality, and shortened hospital stays. Limited evidence suggests that some patients may leave the hospital with the perception that they are cured. Objective: To describe demographic and clinical characteristics associated with patient perceptions that their heart condition is cured at one week following hospitalization for ACS. Methods: We analyzed data from 397 patients interviewed during hospitalization for ACS in 2011-2013 as part of the Transitions, Risks, and Actions in Coronary Events: Centers for Outcomes Research and Education (TRACE-CORE), and again at one week post-discharge as part of an ancillary study, TRACE-CARE. At one week, patients were asked “How true or false is this statement for you: My heart condition is cured. Would you say that this is definitely true, mostly true, neutral, mostly false, or definitely false?” We considered patients who responded “definitely true” or “mostly true” to perceive that their heart condition was cured. We calculated 6-month GRACE risk scores using clinical data from medical records. We used multivariable logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations with cure perceptions. Results: Participants were 26% (n=105) female and 89% (n=350) non-Hispanic white with mean age 60.7±11.0 years. Sixteen percent (n=63) were hospitalized with unstable angina, 69% (n=266) with NSTEMI, and 14% (n=55) with STEMI; 31% (n=124) had a history of CHD; and the average GRACE risk score was 93.6 (SD: 26.6). Seventy-three percent (n=289) received PCI during hospitalization and 11% (n=43) CABG. Discharge occurred the same or next day for 19% (n=76) and within 2-3 days for 54% (n=214). One week post-discharge, 30% (n=120) perceived their heart condition was cured. In a multivariable model, male sex, unstable angina, no history of CHD, and receipt of CABG were associated with greater odds of perceiving oneself cured (Table). Conclusions: One week post-discharge for ACS, 3 in 10 patients perceived their heart condition was cured. Future research should examine additional patient factors related to cure perceptions, and whether these perceptions influence engagement in recommended secondary prevention strategies.