Factors associated with participation in cardiac rehabilitation in patients with acute myocardial infarction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is effective in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but the participation rate is low and its influencing factors vary. Our study aimed to systematically review the literature and investigate the participation rates and influencing factors of CR in patients with AMI. Methods: We searched 10 databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and so forth. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted on the studies on the factors affecting CR participation in AMI. The Q tests and the I-2 tests were used to assess heterogeneity between studies. The combined effect size and odds ratio (OR) and their respective 95% confidence interval (CI) for CR participation rate and its influences are expressed, respectively. Stata 17.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: We included 14 studies with 114 542 participants. Current evidence indicates a CR participation rate of 34% (95% CI: 21%-46%) in patients with AMI. The pooled OR values and CI of each influencing factor are as follows: over 60 years old (OR = 0.865; 95% CI: 0.772-0.969), male (OR = 1.690; 95% CI: 1.276-2.239), college education or above (OR = 2.526; 95% CI: 1.117-5.711), ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (OR = 4.257; 95% CI: 2.004-9.045), decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (OR = 0.918; 95% CI: 0.868-0.971), higher economic level (OR = 1.282; 95% CI: 1.108-1.483), history of coronary heart disease (OR = 0.667; 95% CI: 0.509-0.875), smoking (OR = 0.665; 95% CI: 0.550-0.805), combined hypertension (OR = 0.638; 95% CI: 0.562-0.723), and combined hyperlipidemia (OR = 0.577; 95% CI: 0.512-0.651). Conclusions: The overall participation rate of CR in AMI patients is low, and various factors affect the participation rate. Specialist medical staff are needed to further promote CR rehabilitation concepts and scientific knowledge, and take appropriate measures to address the influencing factors to increase CR utilization and improve patient prognosis.