title: Changes in hope and health-related quality of life in couples following acute myocardial infarction: a quantitative longitudinal study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a life-changing event that affects both the patient and the family and can have an influence on hope as well as HRQoL during the recovery period.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare self-rated scores of hope and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) 1, 7, 13 and 25 months, after an AMI with regard to (i) differences across time, and (ii) differences between patients and their partners.
  
  
  METHODS
  Explorative and longitudinal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this nonrandomized study, Short Form 36 Health Questionnaire (SF-36) and Herth Hope Index-Swedish (HHI-S) questionnaires were completed by thirteen post-AMI patients and their partners. Data were collected on four occasions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In general, hope as well as HRQoL scores increased over time. A 2 (groups) × 4 (times) anova for mixed design showed significant changes in mental as well as in physical health over time but no significant effect of group on mental or physical health. Calculation of the minimum detectable change (MDC-index) for HHI-S and SF-36 revealed that scores between data collection points were not stable. conclusion: Our results show that although hope and HRQoL scores increased, only a few of the changes were statistically significant. Neither HHI-S nor SF-36 seems to measure stable states. Changes in hope and HRQoL levels may be due to participants striving to adapt to the current situation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results can be used in the training of nursing staff to enhance their understanding of the significance of a family-centred approach after an AMI.
authors: Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden. monica.eriksson@miun.se
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Eriksson
authors: Kenneth
authors: K
authors: Asplund
authors: Jacek
authors: J
authors: Hochwälder
authors: Marianne
authors: M
authors: Svedlund
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D065026:Hope; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013548:Sweden