Health status and psychological distress among in-hospital cardiac arrest survivors in relation to gender. (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Israelsson, Johan; Bremer, Anders; Herlitz, Johan; Axelsson, Åsa B.; Cronberg, Tobias; Djärv, Therese; Kristofferzon, Marja-Leena; Larsson, Ing-Marie; Lilja, Gisela; Sunnerhagen, Katharina S.; Wallin, Ewa; Ågren, Susanna; Åkerman, Eva; Årestedt, Kristofer
• Is Part Of: Resuscitation. Volume 114(2017)
• Page Start: 27
• Page End: 33
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: Anxiety -- Depression -- Health status -- Heart arrest -- Hospitals -- Gender; Resuscitation -- Periodicals; Resuscitation -- Periodicals; Réanimation -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.025
• DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2017.02.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-9572

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: To describe health status and psychological distress among in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) survivors in relation to gender. Methods: This national register study consists of data from follow-up registration of IHCA survivors 3–6 months post cardiac arrest (CA) in Sweden. A questionnaire was sent to the survivors, including measurements of health status (EQ-5D-5L) and psychological distress (HADS). Results: Between 2013 and 2015, 594 IHCA survivors were included in the study. The median values for EQ-5D-5L index and EQ VAS among survivors were 0.78 (q1–q3 = 0.67–0.86) and 70 (q1–q3 = 50–80) respectively. The values were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in women compared to men. In addition, women reported more problems than men in all dimensions of EQ-5D-5L, except self-care. A majority of the respondents reported no problems with anxiety (85.4%) and/or symptoms of depression (87.0%). Women reported significantly more problems with anxiety (p < 0.001) and symptoms of depression (p < 0.001) compared to men. Gender was significantly associated with poorer health status and more psychological distress. No interaction effects for gender and age were found. Conclusions: Although the majority of survivors reported acceptable health status and no psychological distress, a substantial proportion reported severe problems. Women reported worse health status and more psychological distress compared to men. Therefore, a higher proportion of women may be in need of support. Health care professionals should make efforts to identify health problems among survivors and offer individualised support when needed.