Gender differences in recovery after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

This study examined the effect of gender on symptom evaluation, symptom response, and physical functioning following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Symptom evaluation and symptom response were measured at baseline and 2, 4, and 6 weeks and 3 months following surgery, and physical functioning was measured at baseline, 6 weeks, and 3 months. The sample included 46 men and 19 women randomly assigned to the routine care group of a larger study examining symptom management intervention influence on recovery outcomes in elderly coronary artery bypass graft patients. No significant differences were found in symptom evaluation, symptom response, or physical functioning by gender over time. Women reported consistently higher symptom evaluation scores for shortness of breath, fatigue, depression, sleep disturbance, swelling, and anxiety and lower mean physical and vitality subscale scores than men at every time point. Gender-specific symptom management strategies should be developed and tested to address the differences in the reporting of symptoms by men and women.