Factors influencing quality of life in older women with heart disease.
BACKGROUND
Better understanding of factors influencing the quality of life (QOL) of cardiac patients can guide treatment decisions.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the impact of clinical and psychosocial factors on the QOL of older women with heart disease.


METHODS
Baseline and 12-month data from women participating in an intervention study.


METHODS
Eligible participants, identified from medical records, were female, > or = 60 years of age, and diagnosed with cardiac disease. A volunteer sample of 570 women (87% white) completed baseline interviews, with 485 women completing the 12-month assessment.


METHODS
Utilizing Wilson and Cleary's conceptual framework (1995), measures of clinical, psychosocial, and functional status were examined for their associations with QOL.


RESULTS
At baseline, General Health Perceptions and Symptom Status accounted for 38% and 26%, respectively, of the variation in the QOL rating. Using logistic regression models, seven measures were significant predictors (P < 0.05) of maintenance/improvement versus decline in QOL over 12 months: baseline QOL rating; baseline value and change in satisfaction with social activities over 12 months; change in satisfaction with physical activities; change in satisfaction with mental activities; and baseline value and change in perceived stress. For women who maintained or improved their satisfaction with social activities, the odds for also maintaining or improving QOL were 4.5 times the odds for women whose satisfaction with social activities deteriorated.


CONCLUSIONS
Satisfaction with social activities and perceived stress are important predictors of subsequent QOL. Consideration of the impact of treatments on these factors may help to prevent deterioration of QOL among older female cardiac patients.
Janz
N K
NK
Department of Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, USA. nkjanz@umich.edu
Janevic
M R
MR
Dodge
J A
JA
Fingerlin
T E
TE
Schork
M A
MA
Mosca
L J
LJ
Clark
N M
NM
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care; D012647:Self-Assessment; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health