Self-Management Support for Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients After Hospital Discharge

The Heart Health Self-Efficacy and Self-Management Scale (HHSES) is a 12-item instrument assessing participants' self-efficacy and self-management behaviors. Total scores range from 12 (minimum) to 48 (maximum), with higher scores indicating better self-efficacy and self-management. Scores ≥36 indicate high self-efficacy and self-management; 25-35 indicate a moderate level; and ≤24 indicate a low level. Administered at baseline and at 13, 36, and 60 weeks of follow-up.

Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) is a composite outcome defined as the occurrence of heart failure, angina, arrhythmia, or recurrent myocardial infarction. Reported as number and proportion of participants experiencing any component event and/or the composite MACE. Assessed from the end of treatment through 60 weeks of follow-up.

Proportion of participants with emergency department visits for cardiac-related reasons during the follow-up period. Calculated as (number of participants with cardiac-related emergency department visits ÷ total number of eligible participants at start of follow-up) × 100%. Assessed from the end of treatment through 60 weeks of follow-up.

The Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) is a 10-item instrument assessing social support along three dimensions: objective support, subjective support, and utilization of social support. Total scores range from 13 to 70. Scores < 33 indicate low social support; 33-45 indicate moderate social support; and > 45 indicate high social support. Assessed at baseline and at 13, 36, and 60 weeks of follow-up.

The Chinese Version of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) is a 9-item instrument measuring illness perception. Total scores range from 0 (minimum) to 80 (maximum), with higher scores indicating worse/more negative illness perception (stronger perceived threat or more negative views toward the illness). Assessed at baseline and at 13, 36, and 60 weeks of follow-up.

Proportion of participants re-hospitalized for cardiovascular reasons (e.g., heart failure, angina, arrhythmia, recurrent myocardial infarction) during the 12-month period after the end of treatment. Calculated as (number of participants re-hospitalized for ACS-related cardiovascular reasons during the follow-up period ÷ total number of eligible patients at the start of the follow-up period) × 100%. Assessed from the end of treatment through 60 weeks of follow-up.

The Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-10) is a 10-item self-report questionnaire using a dichotomous yes/no response format. It evaluates medication adherence across three dimensions: medication adherence behavior, attitude toward taking medication, and negative side effects and attitudes toward medication. Total scores range from 0 to 10. A score ≤ 5 indicates medication non-adherence, and a score ≥ 6 indicates medication adherence. Assessed at 13, 36, and 60 weeks of follow-up.