Sex Differences in Patient-Reported Outcomes in the Immediate Recovery Period After Resuscitation: Findings From the Cross-sectional DenHeart Survey

Mette Kirstine Wagner*, Anne Vinggaard Christensen, Christian Hassager, Dea Siggaard Stenbæk, Ola Ekholm, Britt Borregaard, Lars Thrysoee, Trine Bernholdt Rasmussen, Charlotte Brun Thorup, Rikke Elmose Mols, Knud Juel, Selina Kikkenborg Berg

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Background
A paucity of resuscitation studies have examined sex differences in patient-reported outcomes upon hospital discharge. It remains unclear whether male and female patients differ in health outcomes in their immediate responses to trauma and treatment after resuscitation.

Objectives
The aim of this study was to examine sex differences in patient-reported outcomes in the immediate recovery period after resuscitation.

Methods
In a national cross-sectional survey, patient-reported outcomes were measured by 5 instruments: symptoms of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), illness perception (Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire [B-IPQ]), symptom burden (Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale [ESAS]), quality of life (Heart Quality of Life Questionnaire), and perceived health status (12-Item Short Form Survey).

Results
Of 491 eligible survivors of cardiac arrest, 176 (80% male) participated. Compared with male, resuscitated female reported worse symptoms of anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale–Anxiety score ≥8) (43% vs 23%; P = .04), emotional responses (B-IPQ) (mean [SD], 4.9 [3.12] vs 3.7 [2.99]; P = .05), identity (B-IPQ) (mean [SD], 4.3 [3.10] vs 4.0 [2.85]; P = .04), fatigue (ESAS) (mean [SD], 5.26 [2.48] vs 3.92 [2.93]; P = .01), and depressive symptoms (ESAS) (mean [SD], 2.60 [2.68] vs 1.67 [2.19]; P = .05).

Conclusions
Between sexes, female survivors of cardiac arrest reported worse psychological distress and illness perception and higher symptom burden in the immediate recovery period after resuscitation. Attention should focus on early symptom screening at hospital discharge to identify those in need of targeted psychological support and rehabilitation.
Original languageEnglish
JournalThe Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
Volume38
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)279–287
Number of pages9
ISSN0889-4655
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2023

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

Keywords

  • health survey
  • patient-reported outcomes
  • sex differences
  • sudden cardiac arrest

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