Health-related quality of life and associated factors before and after coronary artery bypass grafting: A multicenter prospective study in cyprus

OBJECTIVES: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) improves survival in coronary artery disease (CAD), but its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) remains variable. This study aimed to evaluate changes in HRQOL and associated factors before and after CABG. METHODS: This prospective multicentre study, conducted across three hospitals in Cyprus, included patients undergoing elective CABG. HRQOL was assessed using the MacNew questionnaire preoperatively and at three and six months postoperatively. Associations with demographic and clinical factors, including age, gender, postoperative arrhythmias, left ventricular ejection fraction, and type of surgery, were examined. Non-parametric methods were applied due to non-normal data distribution. RESULTS: HRQOL declined at three months compared with baseline (5.03 ± 1.02 vs 4.75 ± 1.00; p = 0.015), but improved significantly at six months (5.99 ± 0.67), exceeding preoperative levels. Male gender was associated with higher HRQOL scores at both follow-up time points (p = 0.011 and p = 0.009). No significant differences were observed by age, postoperative arrhythmia, left ventricular ejection fraction, or type of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: HRQOL declined early after CABG but improved significantly by six months, exceeding baseline levels. Male gender was associated with higher HRQOL scores. These findings support the value of incorporating HRQOL assessment into routine postoperative care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR), ID: TCTR202247. URL: https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/.