SF-12 Physical and Mental Health Scales predict cardiovascular events after hospitalization

Abstract Self perceived physical and mental health are easily scored by validated SF-12 questionnaires (a short form of SF-36). Depression can be also scored by HAD scale. We analysed its usefulness to predict death or cardiovascular events after hospitalization. Methods 69 consecutive patients (median age 75 (95% CI 33.1–88.9) admitted from a cardiovascular cause performed the SF-12 Physical (PSF) and Mental Health (MSF) questionnaires, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) before hospital discharge. Charlson's Comorbidity index and Barthel's modified index for Physical Incapacity were also performed and results adjusted by them and clinical issues (cardiovascular diagnosis, ventricular function, age) and social status. Median follow-up was 506 days (95% CI 490–542). Cox-regression univariate analysis was performed, and data were adjusted by multivariate analysis. Results 23 patients (33,3%) experienced an event during follow-up (a compound of death, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, and need for readmission). 85.5% of patients showed a physical SF-12 under poblational mean (PSF 34.55; CI 14.34–55.41), and 59.4% of patients showed a diminished mental SF-12 (MSP 45.69; CI 21.94–66.83). After adjusting by atrial fibrillation (p=0.21), ventricular disfunction (p=0.14), Charlson's index (p=0.013), Barthel's modified index (p=0.035), and age (p=0.013), both mental SF12 (HR 0.93; CI 0.88–0.98; p=0.004) and Physical SF-12 scales (HR 0.935; CI 0.87–0.98; p=0.0.023), together with HAD depression score (HR 0.85; CI 0.75–0.96; p=0.009) were predictors of new cardiovascular events. Conclusions Self perceived physical and mental health scales before hospital discharge predict new clinical cardiovascular events during follow-up. Short form questionnaires (SF-12) and HAD scale are easily performed and can be used for selecting high risk patients beyond clinical characteristics. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Physical SF12 and Event Free Survival