Health-related quality of life in coronary heart disease compared to norms in Spanish population

Aim: To interpret health-related quality of life (HRQL) values better, it is appropriate to compare them with population norms that can serve as reference standards. This study compares the quality of life of patients who have suffered an acute episode of ischemic cardiopathy with population norms, as measured by the Spanish version of the SF-36. Methods: 132 patients admitted to the Cardiology Department of a Spanish general hospital for an acute episode of ischemic cardiopathy were studied. HRQL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. To compare patient with population norms, raw and adjusted data were obtained and differences with population norms were analyzed by age and sex groups at the level of the 25th percentile (25% +/- CI 95%). Results: Globally, differences between the patients and the general Spanish population were evident in all SF-36 dimensions except Physical Functioning, General Health and Mental Health. However, the largest differences were observed in the youngest coronary patients (< 55 years old) were in all HRQL dimensions, except Vitality and Bodily Pain, the proportions of patients below the 25th percentile of the general population exceeded 25%. Conclusion: The comparison between HRQL in coronary patients and that in the general population confirms the impact of the disease especially in the youngest patients, and allows intervention to be directed towards the more vulnerable groups.