Association between social support and short-term cardiac readmission: a double-center study

Abstract

Introduction: Coronary artery disease is among the most common causes of mortality worldwide. Prior studies in the field have mostly focused on biological risk factors, and the effects of psychosocial risk factors and their mechanisms of action are not yet well- known; studies in women-only patient populations are also scant. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to assess psychosocial risk factors in a patient population of women to better clarify the roles of these factors in coronary artery disease. Methods One hundred seventeen women with coronary artery disease were included in this cross-sectional study and were asked to complete the social support questionnaire and interviewed for their baseline characteristics (including age, level of education, occupational status, marital status, previous cardiac admission, history of hypertension, diabetes and smoking) between 2022 and 2023. Their total social support scores and their scores in each of the social support fields were calculated, and their correlations with other factors were analyzed statistically. Results The mean age of the participants was 61,37 ± 10 years. The mean social support score was 76.83 ± 13.31. There was a significant correlation between tangible support scores and being married (P = 0.012). We also found a significant association between readmission rates and affectionate support (P = 0.037), with scores being slightly higher in patients who were readmitted during follow-up. Associations between previous history of cardiac hospitalization, hypertension, diabetes, past or current smoking, age, level of education, occupational status and BMI were not significant. Conclusions Being married significantly increases perceived tangible social support. We also found slightly higher but significant affectionate social support scores in patients who were readmitted during follow-up. Given the differences in outcomes between cross-sectional and cohort studies, more cohort studies with longitudinal designs and extensive follow-up periods are needed to clarify the effects and mechanisms of action of social support in the incidence and prognosis of coronary artery disease.