INITIAL FUNCTIONAL AND ECONOMIC-STATUS OF PATIENTS WITH MULTIVESSEL CORONARY-ARTERY-DISEASE RANDOMIZED IN THE BYPASS ANGIOPLASTY REVASCULARIZATION INVESTIGATION (BARI)

Randomized trials of coronary angioplasty and bypass surgery have hypo thesized that these procedures will have equivalent long-term rates of death and myocardial infarction. Functional status, quality of life, employment, and healthcare cost will therefore be critical measures of the efficacy of these alternative revascularization procedures. Patie nts at 7 sites in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigati on (BARI) were enrolled in an ancillary Study of Economics and Quality of Life (SEQOL). Physical function was assessed by the Duke Activity Status Index and emotional status by the Mental Health Inventory. Empl oyment patterns arid health care utilization were also measured at stu dy entry and at 3-month intervals in follow-up. The 934 patients enrol led in SEQOL were similar to the 895 remaining BARI randomized patient s. Most patients (63%) aged less than or equal to 64 years were workin g, and almost all working patients (96%) intended to return to work. P atients aged greater than or equal to 65 years had lower household inc omes but better health insurance coverage. Overall health ratings were significantly correlated with both physical and emotional status (p < 0.001). Patients enrolled in SEQOL are representative of the overall BARI population; Data collected in SEQOL will provide a detailed pictu re of the physical, emotional, and economic well-being after coronary angioplasty and bypass surgery.