title: The impact of comprehensibility and sense of coherence in the recovery of patients with myocardial infarction: a long-term follow-up study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  After being through a myocardial infarction (MI), a severe recovery period ensues for the patient. Long-term follow-ups are helpful, but what this should include differs between patients. Today there is no established approach to identify needs for support after an MI.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to describe sense of coherence (SOC) over time in relation to sex, as well as further SOC in relation to quality of life (QoL) and treatment satisfaction in patients with an MI.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study had an observational and longitudinal design and followed 18 women and 60 men with an acute MI for 49-67 months after the onset of MI. Instruments used were the SOC-13 and the Seattle angina questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women scored lower SOC than men. A main effect of time was shown for comprehensibility which increased significantly from baseline to the long-term follow-up. Women increased from a lower level to an equal level as men at the long-term follow-up. The total SOC was significantly associated with QoL and treatment satisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High comprehensibility and high SOC give the patient a better basis to handle life after MI. Thus, healthcare professionals should keep in mind that SOC and especially comprehensibility have meaning for the patient's ability to handle her or his recovery. Healthcare professionals need to together with the patient identify and work with lifestyle factors that contribute to increased comprehensibility about the disease, which gives the patient the foundation to preserve and promote her or his health both in the short and long term.
authors.affiliation: County Hospital Ryhov, Jönköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.forename: Kristofer
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Arestedt
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fridlund
authors.forename: Jan-Erik
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Karlsson
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Malm
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000150:complications; D032882:Comprehension; D003289:Convalescence / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D060685:Sense of Coherence; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires