Quality of life of patients with acute coronary syndrome and peripheral arterial disease in cardiovascular rehabilitation

Introduction: The coexistence of peripheral arterial disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome affects health-related quality of life; cardiovascular rehabilitation is an effective tool for the treatment of both diseases. Objective: To evaluate the health-related quality of life according to the EQ-5D questionnaire, before and after rehabilitation. Method: 484 patients discharged from the coronary care ward with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome were studied, who were diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease by ankle-brachial index after exercise and were incorporated into cardiovascular rehabilitation, in the period from March 1, 2011 to February 30, 2018. Their quality of life was evaluated using the EQ-5D questionnaire, before and after rehabilitation. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for quantitative variables, and Wilcoxon's nonparametric test was used to test the hypothesis of equality between two population medians in ordinal and interval variables. Results: The dimensions evaluated using the EQ-5D quality of life questionnaire reflect a positive correlation between the distance walked without pain and the time of exercise, with the results of the EQ-5D scale as an expression of the benefits of rehabilitation. Conclusions: Cardiovascular rehabilitation improved the quality of life of patients with peripheral arterial disease and acute coronary syndrome.