Depression, disability, and quality of life after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: A prospective 9-month follow-up study

BACKGROUND: Several studies have looked at the effects on mood and quality of life (QOL) among patients who underwent on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), but few have reported on off-pump CABG (OPCABG). METHODS: We recruited 50 patients undergoing OPCABG. The day before CABG, patients were interviewed using 4 questionnaires: the Beck Depression Index (BDI), Beck Anxiety Index (BAI), Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q). The process was. repeated at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months. RESULTS: One month postoperatively, patients showed increased levels of depression (Delta 1.67 in the mean BDI score, P < .05) and disability (Delta 5.28 in the mean SDS score, P < .001) and decreases levels of anxiety (Delta 3.7 in the mean BAI score, P < .001) and QOL compared with baseline. When compared with the first month, at 9 months patients were significantly less depressed (Delta 3.58 in the mean BDI score, P < .001), were less disabled (Delta 5.34 in the mean SDS score, P < .001), and had better QOL (Delta 3.82 in the mean Q-LES-Q score, P = .014). At 9 months, 44% had some degree of depression and 48% had low QOL. CONCLUSION: Despite that all scores returned to or below baseline at 9 months, a high percentage of patients still had depressive symptoms and overall poor quality of life (QOL). BDI scores at baseline are good predictors of QOL at all measured intervals. This should make physicians more prudent in diagnosing and observing these patients.