Comparison of the quality of life in patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) in the rural and urban communities

Background: Quality of life is a complex multi-dimensional concept influenced by factors such as time, location and personal and social values. Quality of life for chronic patients is related to their individual characteristics and adaptation skills in different situations. This study was conducted to compare the quality of life in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery in the rural and urban communities.

Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using Mac New questionnaire (specific to patients with heart disease). The quality of life in 126 patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) (56 rural patients and 70 urban patients) was compared by independent t-test.

Results: the mean scores for quality of life in urban and rural patients were 64.01±1.72 and 76.17±11.3, respectively, which showed a statistically significant difference (P<0.001).  Also, there was a significant difference between groups in terms of the physical domain (P<0.001), social domain (P<0.001) and emotional domain (P<0.03), more favorable, however, in rural patients.

Conclusion: the individuals’ environment and its components have impact on their quality of life after CABG. The rural people’s lifestyle and activity can be a good example for urban patients.