Perceived social support among percutaneous coronary intervention patients over a long-term follow-up period.

AIM: To investigate perceived social support and the associated factors as well as the sources of social support among post-percutaneous intervention patients over a long-term follow-up period. DESIGN: An explanatory and descriptive survey with a six-year follow-up (STROBE Statement: Supplementary file 1). METHODS: Baseline data (n = 416) were collected from Finnish patients in 2013, with follow-up data collected from the same study group in 2019 (n = 154). The research employed the Social Support of Patients with Coronary Heart Disease self-reported questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate methods. RESULTS: In the acute phase, higher informational support was associated with lower LDL cholesterol and female gender and higher emotional support with working status. In long-term follow-up period, physical activity, younger age, normal cholesterol levels and previous percutaneous coronary intervention predicted higher informational support, regular participation in follow-up sessions and relationship status predicted higher emotional support, and previous coronary artery bypass grafting, smoking, alcohol consumption, normal cholesterol and regular follow-ups predicted higher functional support. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No Patient or Public Contribution.

Support from next of kin and nurses are significant predictors of long-term adherence to treatment in post-PCI patients.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to treatment is a crucial factor in preventing the progression of coronary heart disease. More evidence of the predictors of long-term adherence is needed. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to identify the predictive factors of adherence to treatment six years after percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: Baseline data (n=416) was collected in 2013 and follow-up data in 2019 (n=169) at two university hospitals and three central hospitals in Finland. The self-reported Adherence of Patients with Chronic Disease Instrument was used. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The respondents reported higher adherence to a healthy lifestyle six years after percutaneous coronary intervention in comparison to four months post-percutaneous coronary intervention; adherence was seen in their healthy behaviour, such as decreased smoking and reduced alcohol consumption. Participating in regular follow-up control predicted adherence. Support from next of kin predicted physical activity and normal cholesterol levels; this outcome was associated with close relationships, which also predicted willingness to be responsible for treatment adherence. Women perceived lower support from nurses and physicians, and they had more fear of complications. Fear was more common among respondents with a longer duration of coronary heart disease. Physical activity and male gender were associated with perceived results of care. CONCLUSION: Support from next of kin, nurses and physicians, results of care, responsibility, fear of complication and continuum of care predicted adherence to treatment in long term. These issues should be emphasised among women, patients without a close relationship, physically inactive and those with a longer duration of coronary heart disease.