Poor patient-rated health status is associated with increased mortality among patients with heart failure. In some patient populations, a single question related to general health has been shown to be a strong predictor of mortality. We examined whether self-reported physical health (PH) in patients hospitalized for an acute myocardial infarction (MI) or unstable angina predicts mortality 1 year later.

Prospective observational study of 801 patients assessed with the SF-12 during a hospitalization for MI or unstable angina and followed for 1 year. Two logistic regression equations to predict mortality based on either the PH subscale of the SF-12 or on a single self-rated health (SSRH) item from the SF-12 and controlling for age, gender, diagnosis (MI vs. unstable angina), history of MI, Killip class, and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score.

The 49 patients who died in the first year following the index hospitalization had significantly lower SF-12 PH scores at baseline (33.2 vs. 40.9, p < .01). They also rated their health significantly poorer on the SSRH item (p < .01). The SSRH item was not a significant multivariate predictor of mortality (p = .74). Significant multivariate predictors of 1-year mortality included older age, female gender, history of MI, low BDI score, and SF-12 PH score (all p < .05).

During a hospitalization for MI or unstable angina, both depression and self-reported physical health on the SF-12, but not a single self-rated health item, predict mortality 1 year later.