title: Recovery patterns and health-related quality of life in older patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a prospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important endpoint following cardiac surgery. Particularly in older age, HRQOL, rather than longevity, is the primary goal of treatment. However, prospective studies describing recovery and HRQOL are still scarce.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore recovery patterns and HRQOL in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, emphasizing older patients ≥75 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective population-based study, 534 patients (23% ≥75 years) were consecutively included before surgery. HRQOL, medical and socio-demographic variables were measured by questionnaires at baseline, 6 and 12 months after surgery. HRQOL was measured by the short-form health survey (SF-36).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five hundred and twenty patients were alive 12 months after surgery, 89% responded after 6 and 12 months. Older patients as well as younger patients had a clear overall improvement in HRQOL over the first year after cardiac surgery, more specifically during the first 6 months. The same pattern was found in self-reported NYHA class which improved from baseline to 6 months and stabilized between 6 and 12 months. The only SF-36 scale with different development was Role Physical where younger patients improved more than older patients. Before surgery, patients had substantially lower scores than the population norms. However, on most dimensions of HRQOL older patients reached the level of the norm population after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A selected group of elderly patients can undergo cardiac surgery with excellent results concerning survival and HRQOL. This is of major importance both discussing health care resources and decision making concerning individual patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. kari.hanne.gjeilo@stolav.no
authors.forename: Kari Hanne
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Gjeilo
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wahba
authors.forename: Pål
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Klepstad
authors.forename: Stian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lydersen
authors.forename: Roar
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stenseth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000523:psychology*; D003289:Convalescence / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life