HOW GENDER AFFECTS PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT ONE-YEAR AFTER CORONARY-ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT-SURGERY

This research investigated gender differences in psychological adjustm ent among patients (112 males, 39 females) one year after coronary art ery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Information regarding post-CABG depre ssion, non-cardiac chronic conditions, and socioeconomic variables wer e obtained from a survey. Additional cardiac, surgical, and demographi c data were retrieved from a hospital computer database. Women were mo re likely than men to experience postoperative depression, attributabl e to their poor health. Depression one year post-CABG was predicted by non-cardiac chronic illnesses, postoperative fatigue and shortness of breath and socioeconomic status.