Religiosity and Patient Activation and Health Outcomes among Hospital Survivors of an Acute Coronary Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Religious involvement is widespread and may influence patient engagement with their healthcare (patient activation) and health outcomes. This dissertation examined the association between religiosity and patient activation, changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL), readmissions, and survival after hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: We recruited 2,174 patients hospitalized for ACS in Georgia and Central Massachusetts (2011-2013) in a prospective cohort study. Participants self-reported three items assessing religiosity – strength/comfort from religion, petition prayers for health, and awareness of intercessory prayers by others. Patient activation was measured using the 6-item Patient Activation Measure. Generic HRQOL was assessed with the SF-36®v2 physical and mental component summary scores. Disease-specific HRQOL was evaluated with the Seattle Angina Questionnaire Quality of Life subscale. Unscheduled readmissions were validated from medical records. Mortality status was obtained from national and state vital statistics. Results: After adjustment for several sociodemographic, psychosocial, and clinical variables, reports of strength/comfort from religion and receipt of intercessions were associated with high activation. Praying for one’s health was associated with low activation. Prayers for health were associated with clinically meaningful increases in disease-specific and physical HRQOL. Neither strength/comfort from religion, petition, nor intercessory prayers were significantly associated with unscheduled 30-day readmissions and two-year all-cause mortality. Conclusions: Most ACS survivors acknowledge religious practices for their health. Religiosity was associated with patient activation and changes in HRQOL. These findings suggest that religiosity may influence patient engagement in their healthcare and recovery after a life-threatening illness, buttressing the need for holistic approach in patient management.