Quality of life and behavioral compliance in cardiac rehabilitation patients: a longitudinal survey.
BACKGROUND
Few data regarding inter-relations between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and compliance are available. The aim of present study was to assess which aspects of HRQoL might predict patients' behavioral compliance to medical suggestions and whether questionnaires might be useful for patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation.


METHODS
HRQoL and compliance were measured in 52 consecutive patients undergoing cardiovascular rehabilitation. The measurements were performed at the beginning, at the end of rehabilitation, and after 6 months follow-up. Baseline, demographic and HRQoL characteristics were linked to compliance by multiple regression modelling.


RESULTS
Over time no significant differences between HRQoL and compliance scores were observed. Age (odds ratio (OR) 1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-2.45), number of taken drugs (OR=1.45; 95% CI: 1.02-2.11), anxiety score (OR=0.32; 95% CI: 0.15-1.02), depression score (OR=0.48; 95% CI: 0.06-0.78), and social health score (OR=1.09; 95% CI: 1.01-1.24), appeared to be independent predictors of compliance.


CONCLUSIONS
Older age, higher number of drugs, high social health score, and low anxiety and depression scores predict better behavioral compliance in cardiac rehabilitation patients.
Cardiovascular Research Foundation, S. Giacomo Hospital, Castelfranco Veneto, Italy.
Roman
R
Komorovsky
Alessandro
A
Desideri
Patrizia
P
Rozbowsky
Daniela
D
Sabbadin
Leopoldo
L
Celegon
Dario
D
Gregori
D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires