Predictors of attendance at cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine predictors of attendance at cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction (MI).


METHODS
Various demographic, behavioural, and clinical variables were measured during hospitalisation in 288 MI patients. Of these, 263 were available to attend outpatient-based cardiac rehabilitation: 108 actually attended.


RESULTS
Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that nonattenders lived in more deprived areas and were less likely to have paid employment. Nonattenders also registered more symptoms of depression and anxiety and exercised less frequently prior to their MI, although only the last of these variables were predicted in a multivariate model. In terms of clinical status, whether patients had been thrombolysed or not was the strongest predictor of attendance.


CONCLUSIONS
Attendance at cardiac rehabilitation is not an arbitrary matter. Strategies should be developed for encouraging greater attendance among those not in paid employment, those from deprived areas, and those who exercise infrequently.
Lane
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School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. carrolld@bham.ac.uk
Carroll
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Beevers
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D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D006113:United Kingdom