Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

Background: Psychiatric morbidity such as depression and anxiety are common among patients with CHD. One study indicated that 32.5%and 17.5%of patients with CHD have depression and anxiety symptoms, respectively. Most studies showed depression as an important disorder that leads to an increase in cardiovascular events, readmission to hospital,
and CHD mortality. The coexistence of physical and psychiatric morbidity negatively affects the course and outcome of both the conditions resulting in increased over all burden of disease. Identification of psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression) in CAD patients has shown to improve prognosis and quality of life of patients with CAD. Patients treated
for their depression and anxiety might better adhere to risk factor modifications, prescribed medications, and rehabilitation programs.
Materials and methods: Descriptive cross-sectional research study design was used to find out the anxiety and depression of patients with CAD attending Tertiary care Teaching Hospital. The nonprobability, purposive sampling technique was used to select the required sample size. Researcher identified the sample from OPD by verbally asking the patients about their age and purpose of visit to OPD. Then medical file was reviewed to confirm the information given by patient. Semistructured interview schedule for the sociodemographic variables, disease related variables, behaviour related variables, and support system was developed by researcher based on extensive literature review.
Result: Table 1 shows that, out of 90 respondents, 50% were between the ages of 40-60 years. The mean age of the respondents was 55.03±15.99 years. Similarly, 66.7% were male, 96.4% were married, and 77.8% were living with their spouse. Our study shows that two-thirds (66.7%) of the respondentswere diagnosed with myocardial infraction followed by angina pectoris (20%) and ischemic heart failure (13.3%).Regarding mode of treatment, more than two-thirds (70%)of the respondents had surgery. Likewise, half of the respondents (50.0%) had other comorbid conditions.
Conclusion: There was a high level of depression and anxiety in this sample of cardiac patients. The results point to characteristics of patients in particular need for mental health screening and suggest possible targets for intervention such as strengthening of social support and of physical activity. The integration of mental health services into cardiac
rehabilitation in Palestine and comparable cultural settings is warranted from the time of first diagnosis and onward.