On Monday 30 June at 13:00, Birgitte Bitsch Gadager defends her PhD dissertation entitled "Cardiac rehabilitation for patients with diabetes".

A PhD project from Aarhus University examines differences in participation and outcomes in cardiac rehabilitation, highlighting key challenges for people living with multiple chronic conditions.

Individuals admitted with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who also have diabetes represent a particularly high-risk group in cardiac rehabilitation – a structured programme focused on physical training, prevention, and support following ACS.

The project investigates whether individuals with both ACS and diabetes achieve the same outcomes from cardiac rehabilitation as those without diabetes – and whether they are equally likely to participate in the recommended rehabilitation programme after hospital discharge. The study is based in part on data from municipal cardiac rehabilitation services in the Central Denmark Region.

The results show that individuals with both ACS and diabetes improve their physical capacity to a lesser extent compared to those without diabetes. They are also less likely to initiate rehabilitation after discharge.

Cardiac rehabilitation must be better tailored to people with multimorbidity – including those living with both ACS and diabetes. This group faces increased risks and has more complex needs, calling for more targeted and flexible rehabilitation pathways to ensure equitable access and outcomes, and to accommodate varying levels of function and health status.

The summary is written by the PhD student.

The defence is public and takes place at Marselisborgcentret, Evald Krogs Gade 9, 8000 Århus C. Please see the press release for more information. 

Contact

PhD student Birgitte Bitsch Gadager
Mail: b.bitsch@rm.dk
Phone: (+45) 21452470

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