Clinical Interventions in Aging (May 2019)

The relationship between frailty syndrome and quality of life in older patients following acute coronary syndrome

  • Uchmanowicz I,
  • Lisiak M,
  • Wleklik M,
  • Gurowiec P,
  • Kałużna–Oleksy M

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 14
pp. 805 – 816

Abstract

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Izabella Uchmanowicz,1 Magdalena Lisiak,1 Marta Wleklik,1 Piotr Gurowiec,2 Marta Kałużna–Oleksy31Department of Clinical Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw 51-618, Poland; 2Department of Nursing, Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole, Opole 45-060, Poland; 31st Cardiology Department, University Hospital of Lord‘s Transfiguration Partner, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznan 61-848, PolandPurpose: Elderly patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have a high risk of mortality, which is particularly high in the first 30 days. Quality of life (QoL) and risk-benefit assessments are of pivotal importance in the elderly. The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between frailty syndrome (FS) and QoL in patients following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).Patients and Methods: The study involved 100 patients (61 men, 39 women, the average age: M ± SD =66.12±10.92 years). The study used standardized research tools: a questionnaire to assess QoL (World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Brief version), and a questionnaire to assess FS (Tilburg Frailty Indicator).Results: FS occurred in 80% of patients after ACS. FS has a negative impact on the QoL of patients with ACS. The most important domain of FS in the studied group was the psychological: M ± SD=2.2±0.75 points. The greater FS in the physical domain, the lower the QoL in all areas. The greater FS in the social domain, the lower the QoL in psychological and social fields. Self-evaluation of patient QoL was M ± SD=3.68±0.71 points. Self-assessment of health was M ± SD=2.59±0.98 points.Conclusion: Patients with a coexisting FS have a poorer QoL in the physical, psychological, social, and environmental fields. For a multidisciplinary team, these findings can help make the therapeutic decision for frail patients who have poor QoL. Frailty among elderly patients with ACS can be considered as a determinant of high risk of adverse outcomes.Keywords: frailty syndrome, quality of life, acute coronary syndrome, Tilburg Frailty Indicator

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