Self-reported health and adverse outcomes among women living with symptoms of angina or unspecific chest pain but no diagnosis of obstructive coronary artery disease—findings from the DenHeart study

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Jane Lange Dalsgaard
  • Michael Skov Hansen
  • Lars Thrysoee
  • Ola Ekholm
  • Charlotte Brun Thorup
  • Rikke Elmose Mols
  • Rasmussen, Trine Bernholdt
  • Anne Vinggaard Christensen
  • Andreas Kristian Pedersen
  • Berg, Selina Kikkenborg
  • Lisette Okkels Jensen
  • Christian Backer Mogensen
  • Britt Borregaard
Aims
The objectives were to describe differences in self-reported health at discharge between women diagnosed with angina or unspecific chest pain and investigate the association between self-reported health and adverse outcomes within 3 years.

Methods and results
Data from a national cohort study were used, including data from the DenHeart survey combined with 3 years of register-based follow-up. The population included two groups of women with symptoms of angina but no diagnosis of obstructive coronary artery disease at discharge (women with angina and women with unspecific chest pain). Self-reported health measured with validated instruments was combined with register-based follow-up on adverse outcomes (a composite of unplanned cardiac readmissions, revascularization, or all-cause mortality). Associations between self-reported health and time to first adverse outcomes were investigated with Cox proportional hazard models, reported as hazards ratios with 95% confidence intervals. In total, 1770 women completed the questionnaire (49%). Women with angina (n = 931) reported significantly worse self-reported health on several outcomes compared to women with unspecific chest pain (n = 839). Within the 3 years follow-up, women with angina were more often readmitted (29 vs. 23%, P = 0.011) and more underwent revascularization (10 vs. 1%, P < 0.001), whereas mortality rates were similar (4 vs. 4%, P = 0.750). Self-reported health (physical and mental) was associated with adverse outcomes between both groups (on most instruments).

Conclusion
Women with angina reported significantly worse self-reported health on most instruments compared to women with unspecific chest pain. Adverse outcomes varied between groups, with women diagnosed with angina experiencing more events.
Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
Volume22
Issue number5
Pages (from-to)506–515
Number of pages10
ISSN1474-5151
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

ID: 345510736