Age does matter: Younger pPCI patients profit more from cardiac rehabilitation than older patients

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is recommended as secondary prevention in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) patients. This study was conducted to expand the knowledge about age-effects of CR in pPCI patients. The aim of this study was to compare changes in subjective health status (SHS) during and after CR between patients <. 60. years and patients ≥. 60. years, who underwent pPCI after myocardial infarction.
Methods: Between 2009 and 2011, in total 282 pPCI patients who participated in CR were included. Patients completed the Short Form 12 (SF-12) questionnaire at baseline (pre-CR), 3. months (post-CR) and 12. months follow-up. Patients were divided into two age-groups, <. 60. years versus ≥. 60. years. To compare improvements in SHS between groups, Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) analyses were performed.
Results: The mean physical component summary (PCS) score improved over time in both groups and even reached mean levels of the normative Dutch population. The improvement on the PCS score was equal in both age groups. The mental component summary (MCS) score also improved in both groups. Patients <. 60. years reported on average more improvement on the MCS score than patients ≥. 60. years (Exp(B) 1.019; 95%CI 1.009-1.030; P <. 0.001). However, mean levels of the normative Dutch population were not reached by patients <. 60. years.
Conclusion: Even though pPCI patients <. 60. years reported more improvement on the MCS score, mean levels of the normative Dutch population were not reached. Therefore, a tailored CR program with more focus on their mental status, may be beneficial in younger patients.