Sex differences in quality of life of patients following percutaneous coronary intervention in Vietnam.

purposeData regarding the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in men and women after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in low-and-middle incomes countries remains scarce. To investigate sex difference in the HRQoL at 30 days and 12 months post PCI in Vietnam.

methodsWe used data from a single percutaneous coronary registry established in the Vietnam National Heart Institute. The HRQoL was measured using the EQ-5D-3L instrument via telephone interviews, and information about demographics, clinical presentation and procedures was obtained through face-to-face interviews and medical records. The HRQoL between men and women were compared using independent samples t tests, the Mann-Whitney U test or univariate/multivariate logistic regression.

resultsThere were 866 patients included in this cohort, with the proportion of women being nearly half of men (32.1 vs 67.9%). Women were 3.5 years older, had lower income and educational levels but greater prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. At 30 days, women significantly had more problems in mobility, personal care and pain/discomfort compared to men. At 12 months, women had more problem than men in usual activity. The geometric means of HRQoL was lower in women at 30 days, but not in 12 months. From 30 days to 12 months after discharge, women showed better recovery in mobility compared to men, but not in other dimensions.

conclusionsIn this first insight of sex differences in HRQoL following PCI in Vietnam, women appeared to have worse quality of life, especially at 30 days after discharge but they showed better recovery in mobility at 12 months compared to men.