Objectives: To investigate the quality of life (QOL) of Japanese patients with ischemic heart disease.
Methods: The QOL data of 753 patients with chronic and stable ischemic heart disease was assessed using SF-36 Japanese version 1.2 and compared with Japanese national norms. Physical (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores were calculated to examine the correlation with patient background. Patients were also asked about subjective symptoms during the QOL investigation.
Results: Mean age was 63.6 +/- 7.5 years old and the male/female ratio was 85.7/14.3. About one third (30.7%) of the patients were symptomatic and about half (52.6%) had a history of myocardial infarction. Compared to Japanese national norms, physical functioning, role-physical, social functioning, general health and role-emotional were lower, and body pain, vitality and mental health were higher. PCS was significantly lower and MCS was significantly higher in aged patients than in younger patients (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001). PCS and MCS were significantly lower in the symptom (+) group than in the symptom (-) group (p = 0.0009, p < 0.0001). PCS decreased as the number of anti-angina medications for the patients increased (p = 0.0002). PCS was significantly lower and MCS was significantly higher in the beta blocker (+) group than in the beta blocker (-) group (p < 0.0001, p < 0.03). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age ( > or = 63 years old), symptom (+), duration of disease (> or = 3 years) and beta blocker (+) influenced the QOL.
Conclusions: The QOL level of patients with ischemic heart disease was found to depend on the clinical condition and treatment, so the optimal treatment for ischemic heart disease must be established to improve QOL.