Psychological risk factors for cardiac-related hospital readmission within 6 months of coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine the psychological risk factors for cardiac-related readmission within 6 months of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).


METHODS
Consecutive patients awaiting elective CABG (N=119; 100 males and 19 females), with a mean age of 63.3 years, completed a battery of psychosocial measures in a three-stage repeated-measures design. Relevant medical data were also extracted from patients' medical records 6 months postoperatively to allow for the examination of potential covariates.


RESULTS
Two psychological variables, increased postoperative anxiety and increased preoperative depression, were identified as risk factors for cardiac-related readmission independent of the only significant covariate identified, cardiopulmonary bypass time.


CONCLUSIONS
Anxiety in the immediate postoperative period and, to a lesser extent, preoperative depression are important determinants of health care utilization postdischarge. Further research to clarify the psychological factors that are predictive of readmission, and that attempt to determine both the underlying cause of readmissions and potential mechanisms through which psychological factors act is recommended. Such research may highlight potential factors to target in interventions and the best time at which to intervene.
Oxlad
Melissa
M
School of Psychology, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. melissa.oxlad@flinders.edu.au
Stubberfield
John
J
Stuklis
Robert
R
Edwards
James
J
Wade
Tracey D
TD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013021:South Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors