The differences between pain, fatigue, physical fitness, functional status, and family functioning pre- to post- coronary artery bypass grafting among Palestinians

Abstract

This study aimed to examine pre- to post-operative changes in pain, fatigue, physical fitness, functional status, and family functioning among 200 Palestinian patients (mean age 67; 42% women) undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting. Validated Arabic versions of the NPRS, FSMC, IFIS, FIM, and APGAR Family Index were administered before surgery and again 2–3 weeks postoperatively. Pain scores differed significantly between pre- and postoperative assessments for both men (t = 11.54, p < 0.001) and women (t = 7.91, p < 0.001). Fatigue increased significantly among men (t = −2.66, p = 0.009) but showed no significant change among women (t = 0.71, p = 0.477). Physical fitness declined in both genders (men: t = 2.25, p = 0.027; women: t = 2.13, p = 0.036). Functional status showed mixed postoperative changes across domains, while total FIM scores remained largely stable. Family functioning improved significantly for both men (t = −3.08, p = 0.003) and women (t = −2.15, p = 0.034). Correlation analyses revealed a moderate positive association between pain and fatigue (r = 0.55, p = 0.01), and inverse associations between physical fitness and both pain (r = −0.42, p = 0.03) and fatigue (r = −0.57, p = 0.02). Functional status correlated positively with physical fitness and family functioning. These findings provide a descriptive overview of early postoperative changes following CABG and highlight gender-specific patterns across key recovery indicators.