The role of sex in health-related quality of life after cardiac surgery: a prospective study.
BACKGROUND
To assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients after cardiac surgery with emphasis on sex differences.


METHODS
Between September 2004 and September 2005, 534 patients (413 males and 121 females) were consecutively included. HRQOL was measured by the short-form 36 (SF-36) before surgery with follow-up 6 and 12 months after surgery.


RESULTS
Five hundred and twenty-one patients were alive after 12 months, 462 (89%) and 465 (89.4%) responded after 6 and 12 months, respectively. Female patients had less favorable scores than male patients on most subscales of the SF-36 both before and after surgery. Both male and female patients improved substantially after surgery, but female patients reported significantly less improvement on two of eight subscales of the SF-36; role emotional and bodily pain.


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrates that there are sex differences concerning HRQOL both before and after cardiac surgery. A clear overall improvement in HRQOL over the first year after cardiac surgery, more specifically during the first 6 months for both sexes was found.
Gjeilo
Kari Hanne
KH
Department of aCardiothoracic Surgery, St Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. kari.hanne.gjeilo@stolav.no
Wahba
Alexander
A
Klepstad
Pål
P
Lydersen
Stian
S
Stenseth
Roar
R
D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012737:Sex Factors