Health-related quality of life predicts unplanned rehospitalization following coronary revascularization

Background Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is an increasingly well-recognized measure of health outcome in cardiology. We examined HRQL as a predictor of unplanned rehospitalization for cardiac reasons in patients after coronary revascularization over a period of 3 years. Patients and methods Out of 791 patients enrolled in the study, 743 completed the MacNew HRQL questionnaire after coronary revascularization. MacNew HRQL scores were used as predictors of unplanned rehospitalization. Results Within the 3-year follow-up period, 125 patients (16.8 %) were rehospitalized. After adjustment for age, gender, and myocardial infarction as the initiating event, there were significant differences in unplanned rehospitalization rates between patients with low or moderate vs. high MacNew HRQL global scores (HR: 1.8, 95 % CI: 1.2–2.7) and both physical (HR: 2.2, 95 % CI: 1.4–3.5) and social (HR: 1.8, 95 % CI: 1.2–2.7) subscale scores. Conclusion Poor HRQL assessed after coronary revascularization appears to be a powerful predictor of rehospitalization over a 3-year period.