Socioeconomic inequalities in quality of life and psychological outcomes among cardiac patients

Abstract

Objectives:

The aim of this article is to explore socioeconomic inequalities in the psychological characteristics (psychological well-being, perceived mental health status) and perceived quality of life among cardiac patients.

Methods:

A structured interview was conducted with 362 patients (32% women, mean age 56 ± 7.3 years) referred for coronary angiography. The GHQ-28 was used to measure psychological well-being, the SF-36 for perceived mental health status. Income and education indicated socioeconomic position. Logistic regressions were employed, adjusted for age, gender, functional status and severity of disease.

Results:

Patients with low income or education had a higher probability of having poor psychological well-being compared to participants with high income or education (OR 5.5,CI 2.32-12.80; OR 3.1,CI 1.52-6.37 resp.), and were also more likely to have worse mental health status (OR2.9,CI 1.02-8.51;OR 4.8,CI 1.36-16.99 resp.), and low quality of life (OR 2.9,CI 1.02-8.51; OR 4.8,CI 1.36-16.99 resp.).

Conclusions:

Socioeconomic status was found to be negatively associated with the psychological outcomes and quality of life among cardiac patients. Socioeconomic inequalities should be taken into account when designing suitably-adapted interventions focusing on psychosocial factors among cardiac patients.