Is There an Association between Attending Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and Health-related Quality of Life among Patients in Qatar?

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the primary cause of death worldwide. More patients with CVD are living than before due to medical advancements. Therefore, there is an urgent need for secondary prevention strategies. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a secondary prevention model of care for the management of CVD. Aim: This is the first study to explore the association between attending at least the median number of CR sessions and change in HRQOL among patients in Qatar. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study that included all patients who were enrolled in the CR program in Qatar. Secondary data were extracted from patients' records before the CR program (pre-CR) and at patient discharge (post-CR). The SF-36 instrument was used to assess HRQOL among patients. Results: The study involved 396 (91.4%) males; the mean age was 52.7+-9.8 (SD) years. There was a statistically significant association between attending at least the median number of CR sessions and change in physical functioning scores (95% CI=8.85-29.11/ p-value=0.002), change in social functioning scores (95% CI=0.04-19.38/ p-value=0.04), change in emotional well-being scores (95% CI= 1.92-22.13/ p-value=0.02), and change in general health scores (95% CI=0.38-16.42/ p-value= 0.03), as compared to attending less than the median number of sessions. The models adjusted for age, gender, comorbidities, risk level, depression, and baseline HRQOL scores. Conclusion: CR program improved HRQOL. Therefore, there is a need to promote CR utilization and to implement strategies to keep patients in programs. These findings could motivate policymakers to expand CR program capacity, as the sole program in Qatar