Health-related quality of life and social support among Chinese patients with coronary heart disease in mainland China

Aim: This study aimed to explore and identify the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and perceived social support among Chinese patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) in mainland China. Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted with a convenience sample of 200 Chinese patients with CHD recruited from the cardiac outpatient departments of two university-affiliated hospitals in Xian, China. The Chinese Mandarin versions of the Short-form 36-item health survey (CM:SF-36) and the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (CM:MOS-SSS) were administered to assess HRQoL and perceived social support. Results: The results indicated that Chinese patients with CHD reported a poorer HRQoL and lower social support compared with their Western and Hong Kong counterparts. Multiple regression analyses identified four significant predictors of deteriorated physical health (increasing age, co-morbidity with heart failure or hypertension, and smoking status) and two significant predictors of poor mental health (co-morbidity with heart failure and perceived social support). Conclusions: Health status and social support in Chinese people with CHD should be routinely assessed and, where feasible, addressed through appropriate individually tailored interventions. © The European Society of Cardiology 2013.