Pain, Sleep Quality, and Anxiety Experienced at Home After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate whether pain experienced at home after discharge was associated with sleep quality and anxiety in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study included patients who underwent CABG surgery in a public hospital in Istanbul between January and July 2021. Data were collected from 213 participating patients using a Patient Information Form, the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), Richard-campbell sleep questionnaire (RCSQ), and State-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) by telephone interview conducted with the patients on post-discharge day 7. Descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, Spearman correlation analysis, and Univariate linear regression model analysis were performed to interpret the data. Results: The participants’ mean total NPRS score was 6.45±2.29, the mean total RCSQ score was 35.54±20.12, and the mean total STAI score was 51.98±8.53 post-discharge day 7. Correlation analysis revealed a highly significant negative relationship between NPRS and RCSQ scores (r=-0.77; p<0.01) and a highly significant positive relationship between NPRS and STAI scores (r=0.73; p<0.01). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that patients experienced moderate-to-severe pain, low sleep quality, and high levels of anxiety after discharge. According to clinical characteristics, patients with a history of previous surgery or intensive care unit stay had higher pain and anxiety levels and lower sleep quality. Furthermore, more severe pain was associated with lower sleep quality and higher anxiety levels.