Anxiety and depression after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: most get better, some get worse

Virtual reality-based cognitive-behavioural therapy for the treatment of anxiety in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a randomised clinical trial

Background

The presence of mental health conditions is pervasive in patients who experienced acute myocardial infarction (AMI), significantly disrupting their recovery. Providing timely and easily accessible psychological interventions using virtual reality-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (VR-CBT) could potentially improve both acute and long-term symptoms affecting their mental health.

Aims

We aim to examine the effectiveness of VR-CBT on anxiety symptoms in patients with AMI who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) during the acute stage of their illness.

Methods

In this single-blind randomised clinical trial, participants with anxiety symptoms who were admitted to the ICU due to AMI were continuously recruited from December 2022 to February 2023. Patients who were Han Chinese aged 18-75 years were randomly assigned (1:1) via block randomisation to either the VR-CBT group to receive VR-CBT in addition to standard mental health support, or the control group to receive standard mental health support only. VR-CBT consisted of four modules and was delivered at the bedside over a 1-week period. Assessments were done at baseline, immediately after treatment and at 3-month follow-up. The intention-to-treat analysis began in June 2023. The primary outcome measure was the changes in anxiety symptoms as assessed by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A).

Results

Among 148 randomised participants, 70 were assigned to the VR-CBT group and 78 to the control group. The 1-week VR-CBT intervention plus standard mental health support significantly reduced the anxiety symptoms compared with standard mental health support alone in terms of HAM-A scores at both post intervention (Cohen's d=-1.27 (95% confidence interval (CI): -1.64 to -0.90, p<0.001) and 3-month follow-up (Cohen's d=-0.37 (95% CI: -0.72 to -0.01, p=0.024). Of the 70 participants who received VR-CBT, 62 (88.6%) completed the entire intervention. Cybersickness was the main reported adverse event (n=5).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that VR-CBT can significantly reduce post-AMI anxiety at the acute stage of the illness; the improvement was maintained at the 3-month follow-up.

Trial registration number

The trial was registered at www.chictr.org.cn with the identifier: ChiCTR2200066435.

Depression and Anxiety Trajectories in Chronic Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

People living with chronic diseases are at an increased risk of anxiety and depression, which are associated with poorer medical and psychosocial outcomes. Many studies have examined the trajectories of depression and anxiety in people with specific diseases, including the predictors of these trajectories. This is valuable for understanding the process of adjustment to diseases and informing treatment planning. However, no review has yet synthesised this information across chronic diseases.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched for studies reporting trajectories of depression or anxiety in chronic disease samples. Data extracted included sample characteristics, results from trajectory analyses, and predictors of trajectories. Meta-analysis of the overall pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety trajectories was conducted, and qualitative synthesis of disease severity predictors was undertaken.

RESULTS

Following search and screening, 67 studies were included (N = 61,201 participants). Most participants followed a stable nonclinical trajectory for depression (69.0% [95% CI: 65.6, 72.2]) and anxiety (73.4% [95% CI: 66.3, 79.5]). Smaller but meaningful subsamples followed a trajectory of depression and anxiety symptoms consistently in the clinical range (11.8% [95% CI: 9.2, 14.8] and 13.7% [95% CI: 9.3, 19.7], respectively). Several clinical and methodological moderators emerged, and qualitative synthesis suggested that few aspects of disease severity were associated with participants' trajectories.

CONCLUSION

Most people with chronic disease follow a trajectory of distress that is low and stable, suggesting that most people psychologically adjust to living with chronic disease. Evidence also suggests that the nature and severity of the disease are not meaningful predictors of psychological distress.

Severity of psychological distress over five years differs as a function of sex and presence of coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Psychological distress is more prevalent and severe among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to healthy individuals. Little is known regarding its time course, and whether these differences extend to individuals with non-cardiovascular (CV) illnesses. This study examined the presence, severity, and time course of psychological distress in men and women with CAD and those of similarly aged individuals suffering from non-CV conditions.

METHODS

1229 individuals (61% men; mean_age = 60.4 ± 7.0 years) with stable CAD or non-CV illnesses reported on social support, hostility, stress, anxiety and depression at baseline as well as 4.8 ± 0.8 years later. Analyses involved mixed (Sex*CAD status*Time) repeated measures analyses (controlling for relevant covariates), as well as Chi-square and McNemar analyses.

RESULTS

Women with CAD reported more symptoms of depression compared to other participants at both evaluations (p's < 0.01), and reported more symptoms of anxiety and stress compared to others at T1 (p's < 0.05). At T2, perceived stress remained significantly greater among women with CAD compared to men (p's < 0.01), though differences in anxiety were no longer significant. Men reported more hostility than women (p = 0.001). CAD women fell within the clinical range for depression (p < 0.001), anxiety (p = 0.001), and stress (p = 0.030) more frequently compared to others at T1, and for depression (p = 0.009) and stress (p = 0.002) at T2.

CONCLUSIONS

The evolution of patient distress differed as a function of the measure examined, their sex, and/or CV status. While psychological distress was prevalent among these patients with diverse health conditions, women with CAD were particularly and chronically vulnerable.

Prevalence of Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders and Depression in Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients in an Academic Hospital: a Case Study

The relationship between body and mind is increasingly recognized in the occurrence and prognosis of cardiac disease. Based on reports detailing the potential (and the influence of certain risk factors) of developing depression and anxiety following cardiovascular disease, or a cardiac event, most notably acute coronary syndrome (ACS), we investigated whether such symptoms also existed in patient cases found at the cardiac rehabilitation unit of an academic hospital of Eastern Ontario. We examined data from charts during a 6-year period (2012-2017). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale cumulated data within a retrospective cross-sectional study, was used to estimate the prevalence of anxious and depressive symptoms that might reflect the presence of psychological distress. Overall, our sample included 1178 patient files, 81.3% of which were diagnosed with ACS and 69.6% were male. 63.1% of the patients were between 60 and 79 years old at the time of diagnosis. Most patients were Caucasian (81.1%), married (60.3%), and living with their family (74.3%), and 49.7% were recorded as overweight or obese. We found that 29.3% of patients reported symptoms of psychological distress. Regression analyses revealed strong negative correlations between the proportion of symptoms of psychological distress and factors like age and functional capacity as measured by metabolic equivalents. Significant associations were also established between symptoms of psychological distress and factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and sex (female). This study was undertaken as part of a business case to implement a new cardiac rehabilitation programme in an academic hospital of Eastern Ontario and illustrate to the managers and decision-makers, the important factors to consider and to target when developing a stepped-care program for patients in cardiac rehabilitation in order to prevent psychological distress and how such a program was relevant to their institution.

Challenges in coronary heart disease prevention - experiences from a long-term follow-up study in Norway

Objective. To determine longitudinal changes in lifestyle behaviour and lipid management in a chronic coronary heart disease (CHD) population. Design. A multi-centre cohort study consecutively included 1127 patients at baseline in 2014-2015, on average 16 months after a CHD event. Data were collected from hospital records, a questionnaire and clinical examination. Seven hundred and seven of 1021 eligible patients participated in a questionnaire-based follow-up in 2019. Data were analysed with univariate statistics. Results. After a mean follow-up of 4.7 years (SD 0.4) from baseline, the percentage of current smokers (15% versus 16%), obesity (23% versus 25%) and clinically significant symptoms of anxiety (21% versus 17%) and depression (13% versus 14%) remained unchanged, whereas the proportion with low physical activity increased from 53% to 58% (p < .001). The proportions with reduced physical activity level were similar in patients over and under 70 years of age. Most patients were still taking statins (94% versus 92%) and more patients used high-intensity statin (49% versus 54%, p < .001) and ezetimibe (5% versus 15%, p < .001) at follow-up. 73% reported ≥1 primary-care consultation(s) for CHD during the last year while 27% reported no such follow-up. There were more smokers among participants not attending primary-care consultations compared to those attending (19% versus 14%, p = .026). No differences were found for other risk factors. Conclusions. We found persistent suboptimal risk factor control in coronary outpatients during long-term follow-up. Closer follow-up and intensified risk management including lifestyle and psychological health are needed to improved secondary prevention and outcome of CHD. Trial registration: Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02309255.Registered at 5 December 2014, registered retrospectively.

Clinical, Surgical, and Sociopsychological Factors and Depression After Cardiothoracic Surgery

BACKGROUND

Depression is highly prevalent in cardiac surgical patients and is associated with mortality. The objectives of the study were to evaluate depression scores longitudinally pre- and postoperatively and to examine the association between postoperative depression scores and clinical, surgical, and sociopsychological factors.

METHODS

Depression scores were assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Study of Depression (CES-D) in 100 cardiac surgical patients who underwent cardiac surgery preoperatively, during hospitalization, and at 2 and 6 week after discharge. Clinical, surgical, and sociopsychological predictors of depression scores were recorded.

RESULTS

The average depression scores significantly increased from preoperative levels (14.9 ± 1.07) to during hospitalization (21.5 ± 1.05) and decreased at both 2 weeks (15.8 ± 1.07) and 6 weeks after discharge (14.0 ± 1.06), as compared with scores during hospitalization (P < .001). The percentage of patients who scored CES-D > 16 increased significantly from preoperative (39%) to hospitalization (71%) and decreased gradually at 2 weeks (45%) and 6 weeks (37%) after discharge (P < .001). Significant predictors of high postoperative CES-D scores were female gender, ejection fraction < 50%, and high preoperative CES-D scores.

CONCLUSIONS

High depression scores after cardiac surgery suggest that perioperative screening and management of depression after surgery are necessary and may improve outcomes of these patients who are at high risk for depression. Further understanding of the factors that contribute to high depression scores is required to facilitate clinical intervention.

Protocol for the development and validation of a measure of persistent psychological and emotional distress in cardiac patients: the Cardiac Distress Inventory

INTRODUCTION

Distress is experienced by the majority of cardiac patients, yet no cardiac-specific measure of distress exists. The aim of this project is to develop and validate the Cardiac Distress Inventory (CDI). Using the CDI, health professionals will be able to identify key clusters of psychological, emotional and social concern to address with patients, postcardiac event.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

An item pool will be generated through: identification of items by a multidisciplinary group of clinician researchers; review of generic and condition-specific distress measures; focus group testing with cardiac rehabilitation professionals; feedback from patients. The COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments) criteria will be used to inform the development of the methodology for determining the CDI's psychometric properties. The item pool will be tested with 400 cardiac patients and responses subjected to exploratory factor analysis, Rasch analysis, construct validity testing and latent class analysis. Receiver operating characteristic analysis will be used to identify the optimal CDI cut-off score for distinguishing whether a person experiences clinically significant distress.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Approved by the Monash Health Human Research Ethics Committee (approval number-RES-19-0000631L-559790). The CDI will be made available to clinicians and researchers without charge. The CDI will be translated for use internationally. Study findings will be shared with cardiac patient support groups; academic and medical communities via publications and presentations; in the training of cardiac secondary prevention professionals; and in reports to funders. Authorship for publications will follow the uniform requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals.

Prevalence of Depression in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) might adversely affect the health status of the patients, producing cognitive deterioration, with depression being the most common symptom. The aim of this study is to analyse the prevalence of depression in patients before and after coronary artery bypass surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out, involving a study of the past 10 years of the following databases: CINAHL, LILACS, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SciELO, Scopus, and Web of Science. The total sample comprised n = 16,501 patients. The total number of items was n = 65, with n = 29 included in the meta-analysis. Based on the different measurement tools used, the prevalence of depression pre-CABG ranges from 19-37%, and post-CABG from 15-33%. There is a considerable presence of depression in this type of patient, but this varies according to the measurement tool used and the quality of the study. Systematically detecting depression prior to cardiac surgery could identify patients at potential risk.

Anxiety and Depression After a Cardiac Event: Prevalence and Predictors

Introduction

Patients who are anxious or depressed after an acute cardiac event are at increased risk of a subsequent event and premature death. It is therefore important to identify these patients early in order to initiate supportive or even preventive measures. In the present study, we report on the prevalence of anxiety and depression during the first 12 months after an acute cardiac event, and the patient characteristics predictive of increased anxiety and depression risk in early and late convalescence.

Methods

We recruited a sample of 911 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and/or unstable angina (UA), and/or undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS). Patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) close to the time of their event, and again during early (2–4 months post-event) and late (6–12 months post-event) convalescence. Using HADS-A and HADS-D cut-offs of 8+, prevalence rates for anxiety, depression, and comorbid anxiety and depression were determined for each timepoint. Chi-square tests and odds ratios were used to identify baseline patient characteristics associated with increased anxiety and depression risk over 12 months.

Results

Anxiety rates were 43, 28, and 27% at the time of the event, early, and late convalescence. Depression rates were 22, 17, and 15%, respectively. Factors consistently associated with increased anxiety and depression risk were history of depression, financial strain, poor self-rated health, low socioeconomic status, younger age (<55 years), and smoking. Obesity, diabetes, and social isolation (living alone or being unpartnered) were identified as important albeit less significant risk factors. Neither sex nor event type were predictive of anxiety or depression.

Conclusion

This large patient sample provided the opportunity to identify rates of anxiety and depression during the 12 months after a cardiac event and key patient characteristics for increased risk. These risk factors are easily identifiable at the time of the event, and could be used to guide the targeting of support programs for patients at risk.

Loneliness, social isolation and cardiovascular risk

Loneliness and social isolation are increasingly being acknowledged as risk factors for both physical and mental health problems. Recent statistics demonstrate that loneliness and isolation are on the rise internationally, to the point of being classed as an epidemic. In this paper, the authors outline some of the recent research linking loneliness and isolation to significant chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes; mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression; cognitive disorders and dementia. Isolation has also been shown to compromise recovery after acute cardiac events, being associated with increased hospital readmission and premature death. Indeed, isolation has now been identified as a risk factor equivalent in effect to traditional risk factors such as smoking, hypertension and obesity. While distinguishing between objective and subjective indicators of isolation, the authors highlight the complexity of this phenomenon, both in terms of definition and measurement, as well as the interplay between subjective and objective indicators. Important clinical implications for health professionals working with cardiac patients are also proposed, in terms of screening for isolation, and possible interventions to support patients at risk of isolation. The aim of the current article is to emphasise the importance of acknowledging loneliness and isolation as key risk factors requiring urgent attention, both in research and in clinical practice.

Psychological Response to a False Positive Ovarian Cancer Screening Test Result: Distinct Distress Trajectories and Their Associated Characteristics

Routine screening for ovarian cancer (OC) can yield an abnormal result later deemed benign. Such false positive (FP) results have been shown to trigger distress, which generally resolves over time. However, women might differ in the trajectory of the distress experience. Women participating in a routine OC screening program (n = 373) who received an abnormal screening result completed a baseline assessment prior to a follow-up screening test to clarify the nature of their abnormal result. All women were subsequently informed that no malignancy was present, and follow-up assessments were completed one and four months post-baseline. Demographic, clinical, dispositional (optimism, monitoring), and social environmental (social constraint, social support) variables were assessed at baseline. OC-specific distress was assessed at all three assessments. Trajectory analyses identified three distress trajectories differing in the baseline level of distress. A high decreasing trajectory, representing about 25% of women, was characterized by high levels of distress at baseline with distress declining over time, but still elevated at four-month follow-up. In contrast, a no distress trajectory group, representing about 30% of women, was characterized by essentially no distress at any time point. Principal risk factors for membership in the high decreasing trajectory group included a family history of OC, lower dispositional optimism, and greater social constraint. These risk factors could be used to target resources efficiently towards managing women at risk for potentially clinically-significant distress after receipt of an FP OC screening test.

Artificial FLOwering plants in Reducing Anxiety and depressive symptoms following Acute Coronary Syndromes (A-FLORA-ACS): a randomised controlled trial

Patients often experience emotional distress after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). These may lead to symptoms of depression or anxiety and greater morbidity/mortality. We sought to determine whether flowering plants in the coronary care ward reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms in these patients. Patients with ACS were randomly allocated to flowering plants (intervention) or no plants (control) in their room during index hospitalisation. Baseline data were collected. The primary outcome was the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) depressive and anxiety symptom scores at discharge. Secondary outcomes were HADS depression and anxiety scores at 3 months. Both modified intention-to-treat (mITT) and per-protocol (PP) analysis were performed. 122 patients were included in the analysis after case exclusion, with all completing the HADS questionnaire at discharge and 89/122 (73%) patients completing the 3-month post-discharge HADS. At discharge, mean depressive symptom scores were lower in the intervention group, but only significantly so in the PP analysis (mITT 3.6/21 vs 4.6/21, p = 0.11; PP 3.5/21 vs 4.9/21, p = 0.04). There were no significant changes in between-group anxiety symptom scores (mITT 6.4/21 vs 6.1/21, p = 0.51; PP 3.3/21 vs 3.6/21, p = 0.67). The mean increase in depressive symptom scores at 3 months was smaller in the intervention group in both analyses (mITT 0.6 ± 3.6 vs 2.2 ± 2.6, p = 0.02; PP 0.8 ± 3.6 vs 2.4 ± 2.7, p = 0.03). Mean increase in anxiety symptom scores was not significantly different between groups (mITT 2.8/21 vs 2.5/21, p = 0.86; PP 3.3/21 vs 3.6/21, p = 0.67). Flowering plants during index hospitalisation for ACS reduced depressive symptoms in a per-protocol analysis but did not have a significant impact on anxiety symptoms. Increases in depression symptom scores were significantly smaller at 3 months post exposure to flowers compared to anxiety symptom scores.

Just how much does it cost? A cost study of chronic pain following cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE

The study objective was to determine use of pain-related health care resources and associated direct and indirect costs over a two-year period in cardiac surgery patients who developed chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP).

METHODS

This multicentric observational prospective study recruited patients prior to cardiac surgery; these patients completed research assistant-administered questionnaires on pain and psychological characteristics at 6, 12 and 24 months post-operatively. Patients reporting CPSP also completed a one-month pain care record (PCR) (self-report diary) at each follow-up. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multivariable logistic regression models, and generalized linear models with log link and gamma family adjusting for sociodemographic and pain intensity.

RESULTS

Out of 1,247 patients, 18%, 13%, and 9% reported experiencing CPSP at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Between 16% and 28% of CPSP patients reported utilizing health care resources for their pain over the follow-up period. Among all CPSP patients, mean monthly pain-related costs were CAN$207 at 6 months and significantly decreased thereafter. More severe pain and greater levels of pain catastrophizing were the most consistent predictors of health care utilization and costs.

DISCUSSION

Health care costs associated with early management of CPSP after cardiac surgery seem attributable to a minority of patients and decrease over time for most of them. Results are novel in that they document for the first time the economic burden of CPSP in this population of patients. Longer follow-up time that would capture severe cases of CPSP as well as examination of costs associated with other surgical populations are warranted.

SUMMARY

Economic burden of chronic post-surgical pain may be substantial but few patients utilize resources. Health utilization and costs are associated with pain and psychological characteristics.

Examining symptom trajectories that predict worse outcomes in post-CABG patients

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery bypass grafting is one of the most common interventional revascularisation procedures used to treat coronary artery disease worldwide. With a wide variability in postoperative cardiac symptoms, identification of symptom trajectories during the 3-month postoperative recovery period may improve clinicians' abilities to support symptom recovery.

AIMS

To identify distinct trajectories of cardiac symptoms seen over time in a cohort of patients during the 3-month post-coronary artery bypass grafting period, and determine clinical characteristics associated with different symptom trajectories postoperatively.

METHODS

A prospective trial used the cardiac symptom survey to determine patient symptoms at baseline prior to surgery, and at 1 week, 6 weeks and 3 months following coronary artery bypass grafting. A latent class growth model and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used.

RESULTS

Data were obtained from patients ( N=198) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting in six medical centres of Taiwan, through patient medical records and interviews. Based on their frequency, trajectories were explored for the six most common postoperative symptoms including angina, dyspnoea, fatigue, depression, sleep problems and anxiety. We identified two to three distinct classes of trajectories for each symptom. Age, longer intensive care unit stay, fewer vessels bypassed, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, smoking history and lack of regular exercise were associated with worse symptom outcome trends over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Using this unique trajectories-based research method, we are able to achieve a better understanding of symptom recovery patterns over time among coronary artery bypass grafting patients. Recognising risk factors and potential recovery patterns prior to surgery may allow healthcare providers to deliver targeted discharge planning and individualised care after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Managing patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes after coronary events: individual tailoring needed - a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Understanding the determinants associated with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in coronary patients may help to individualize treatment and modelling interventions. We sought to identify sociodemographic, medical and psychosocial factors associated with normal blood glucose (HbA1c < 5.7%), prediabetes (HbA1c 5.7-6.4%), and type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

A cross-sectional explorative study applied regression analyses to investigate the factors associated with glycaemic status and control (HbA_1c level) in 1083 patients with myocardial infarction and/or a coronary revascularization procedure. Data were collected from hospital records at the index event and from a self-report questionnaire and clinical examination with blood samples at 2-36 months follow-up.

RESULTS

In all, 23% had type 2 diabetes, 44% had prediabetes, and 33% had normal blood glucose at follow-up. In adjusted analyses, type 2 diabetes was associated with larger waist circumference (Odds Ratio 1.03 per 1.0 cm, p = 0.001), hypertension (Odds Ratio 2.7, p < 0.001), lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Odds Ratio 0.3 per1.0 mmol/L, p = 0.002) and insomnia (Odds Ratio 2.0, p = 0.002). In adjusted analyses, prediabetes was associated with smoking (Odds Ratio 3.3, p = 0.001), hypertension (Odds Ratio 1.5, p = 0.03), and non-participation in cardiac rehabilitation (Odds Ratio 1.7, p = 0.003). In patients with type 2 diabetes, a higher HbA_1c level was associated with ethnic minority background (standardized beta [β] 0.19, p = 0.005) and low drug adherence (β 0.17, p = 0.01). In patients with prediabetes or normal blood glucose, a higher HbA_1c was associated with larger waist circumference (β 0.13, p < 0.001), smoking (β 0.18, p < 0.001), hypertension (β 0.08, p = 0.04), older age (β 0.16, p < 0.001), and non-participation in cardiac rehabilitation (β 0.11, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Along with obesity and hypertension, insomnia and low drug adherence were the major modifiable factors associated with type 2 diabetes, whereas smoking and non-participation in cardiac rehabilitation were the factors associated with prediabetes. Further research on the effect of individual tailoring, addressing the reported significant predictors of failure, is needed to improve glycaemic control.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02309255 , December 5th 2014.

Optimal blood pressure control after coronary events: the challenge remains

We identified sociodemographic, medical, and psychosocial factors associated with unfavorable blood pressure (BP) control in 1012 patients, hospitalized with myocardial infarction and/or a coronary revascularization procedure. This cross-sectional study collected data from hospital records, a comprehensive self-report questionnaire, clinical examination, and blood samples after 2-36 (mean 17) months follow-up. Forty-six percent had unfavorable BP control (≥140/90 [80 in diabetics] mm Hg) at follow-up. Low socioeconomic status and psychosocial factors did not predict unfavorable BP control. Patients with unfavorable BP used on average 1.9 (standard deviation 1.1) BP-lowering drugs at hospital discharge, and the proportion of patients treated with angiotensin inhibitors and beta-blockers decreased significantly (P < .001) from discharge to follow-up. Diabetes (odds ratio [OR] 2.4), higher body mass index (OR 1.05 per 1.0 kg/m²), and older age (OR 1.04 per year) were significantly associated with unfavorable BP control in adjusted analyses. Only age (standardized beta [β] 0.24) and body mass index (β 0.07) were associated with systolic BP in linear analyses. We conclude that BP control was insufficient after coronary events and associated with obesity and diabetes. Prescription of BP-lowering drugs in hypertensive patients seems suboptimal. Overweight and intensified drug treatment thus emerge as the major factors to target to improve BP control.

Cardiac Rehabilitation in Australia: A Brief Survey of Program Characteristics

BACKGROUND

Defining cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program characteristics on a national level is crucial for decision-making on resource allocation and evaluation of service quality. Comprehensive surveys of CR programs have been conducted overseas, but, to date, no such profile had been conducted in Australia.

METHODS

A representative sample of 165 CR programs across Australia were asked to provide details on a range of program characteristics such as program location and size, program elements, and staffing profile.

RESULTS

Australian CR programs differ from their overseas counterparts in characteristics such as program length, number of sessions, number of specialities represented and extent of outreach.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings point to a need for a routine comprehensive survey of CR programs throughout Australia.

Medical and sociodemographic factors predict persistent smoking after coronary events

Background

Understanding the determinants of persistent smoking after a coronary event constitutes the basis of modelling interventions of smoking cessation in secondary prevention programs. We aim to identify the potentially modifiable medical, sociodemographic and psychosocial factors, comprising the study factors, associated with unfavourable risk factor control after CHD events.

Methods

A cross-sectional explorative study used logistic regression analysis to investigate the association between study factors and smoking status in 1083 patients hospitalized with myocardial infarction and/or coronary revascularization. Hospital record data, a self-report questionnaire, clinical examination and blood samples were applied.

Results

At the index hospitalization, 390 patients were smoking and at follow-up after 2–36 months 167 (43%) of these had quit, while 230 reported persistent smoking. In adjusted analyses, unemployed or disability benefits (Odds ratio (OR) 4.1), low education (OR 3.5), longer smoking duration (OR 2.3) and not having ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as index event (OR 2.3) were significantly associated with persistent smoking. Psychosocial factors at follow-up were not associated with persistent smoking. Smokers reported high motivation for cessation, with 68% wanting help to quit. Only 42% had been offered nicotine replacement therapy or other cessation aids. Smokers rated use of tobacco as the most important cause of their coronary disease (6.8 on a 1–10 Likert scale).

Conclusions

Low socioeconomic status, prior duration of smoking, and not having STEMI as index event were associated with persisting smoking. Persistent smokers in this study seem to have an acceptable risk perception and were motivated to cease smoking, but needed assistance through cessation programs including prescription of pharmacological aids.

Trial registration

Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02309255, registered retrospectively.

Improving health professionals' self-efficacy to support cardiac patients' emotional recovery: the 'Cardiac Blues Project'

BACKGROUND

Many patients experience the 'cardiac blues' at the time of an acute cardiac event, and one in five go on to develop severe depression. These emotional responses often go undetected and unacknowledged. We initiated the 'Cardiac Blues Project' in order to help support patients' emotional recovery. As part of the project, we developed online training in order to support health professionals in the identification and management of the cardiac blues and depression. The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability of the training and its impacts on health professionals' self-efficacy.

METHOD

In July 2014, a 'cardiac blues' pack of patient resources, including access to health professional online training, was mailed to 606 centres across Australia. In the first 3 months after distribution, 140 health professionals registered to undertake the online training and participated in the present study. Participants provided information via a six-item pre- and post-training self-efficacy scale and on 10 post-training acceptability items.

RESULTS

Health professionals' self-efficacy improved significantly after undertaking the online training across the six domains assessed and for the total score. Acceptability of the training was high across all 10 items assessed. Ratings of usefulness of the training in clinical practice were particularly favourable amongst those who worked directly with cardiac patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The health professional training significantly improves health professionals' confidence in identifying and managing the 'cardiac blues' and depression. Monitoring of uptake is ongoing and future studies will investigate patient outcomes.

Shortened questionnaires to assess anxiety and depression during in-hospital rehabilitation: clinical validation and cutoff scores

BACKGROUND

A postacute phase needs reliable routine screening instruments in order to identify the patients to be referred for a clinical interview with a psychologist. The aim of this study was to estimate the clinical cutoff scores of the anxiety and depression questionnaires and their clinical validity using a gold standard.

METHODS

The study involved 177 patients with pulmonary, cardiac, or neurological disease undergoing in-hospital rehabilitation. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine the best concordance between questionnaire's scores and the gold standards.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference (P<0.001) between clinically anxious and depressed patients and nonclinical subjects. The receiver operating characteristic curve for anxiety indicated that the best area under the curve for State Anxiety Inventory is obtained with a cutoff point of 21 for males and 25 for females; for depression scores, the highest area under the curve for Depression Questionnaire-Reduced Form is obtained with a cutoff point of six for males and eight for females.

CONCLUSION

Using appropriate cutoff values, the State Anxiety Inventory and Depression Questionnaire-Reduced Form allow psychologists to optimize early clinical intervention strategies selecting patients with significant needs.

Trajectories of depressive symptoms after a major cardiac event

Depression is a common comorbidity in cardiac patients. This study sought to document fluctuations of depressive symptoms in the 12 months after a first major cardiac event. In all, 310 patients completed a battery of psychosocial measures including the depression subscale of the Symptom Check List-90-Revised. A total of 252 of them also completed follow-up measures at 3 and 12 months. Trajectories of depressive symptoms were classified as none, worsening symptoms, sustained remission, and persistent symptoms. Although the prevalence of depressive symptoms was consistent at each assessment, there was considerable fluctuation between symptom classes. Regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of different trajectories.

Psychological and Work Stress Assessment of Patients following Angioplasty or Heart Surgery: Results of 1-year Follow-up Study

The aim of this study was to explore changes in subjective psychological health and perceived work stress among patients who returned to work (RTW) after a multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation (CR) following cardiac interventions. A total of 108 patients were evaluated at the beginning of their CR, at 6 and 12 months after discharge. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess depression, anxiety, illness perception and work stress at each time stage. Results showed reports of depressive symptoms significantly decreased (p < 0.05) and subjective mental (p = 0.001) and physical health (p < 0.001) improved over time. Patients revealed a decrease in Type A behaviour pattern (p < 0.001) and in job satisfaction levels (p = 0.01), greater internal locus of control (p < 0.01) and increased use of the coping strategy 'Involvement' (p < 0.01). Major findings are that cardiac patients had an improvement in subjective psychological health and did not perceive increased work stress after their RTW. Patients' psychological health and work stress need to be assessed during the CR and should be also carefully monitored after the RTW in order to identify patients' psychological and work-related barriers and facilitate a safe and successful work reintegration.

Psychosocial interventions for patients with coronary heart disease and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Depression is common in patients with coronary heart disease, and together these conditions significantly affect health outcomes. Impaired social support is also considered an important predictor of coronary heart disease prognosis and, as there is a complex interplay between social isolation and depression, interventions to address both may be required. This review aimed to assess the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions addressing both depression and social support for people with coronary heart disease and depression.

METHODS

PRISMA guidelines were used to search major health databases to identify randomised controlled trials that evaluated psychosocial interventions compared with usual care in patients with coronary heart disease and depression; the primary outcome was depressive symptoms and secondary outcomes were mortality (all-cause and cardiac), myocardial infarction, revascularisation, anxiety, social support and quality of life. Data, when suitable, were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis model.

RESULTS

Five studies (n=1358 participants) were eligible and included. The psychosocial intervention group had significantly lower levels of depressive symptoms (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.27 to -0.03; P=0.02) and higher levels of social support (SMD 0.17; 95% CI 0.04 to 0.30; P=0.01) but no differences were found for mortality (all-cause and cardiac), myocardial infarction, revascularisation, anxiety or quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychosocial interventions for patients with coronary heart disease and depression result in modest reductions in depressive symptoms and improvements in social support. However, caution is warranted in view of the small number of studies included in the review and potential heterogeneity in outcomes and in differences in treatment.

Decomposing the heterogeneity of depression at the person-, symptom-, and time-level: latent variable models versus multimode principal component analysis

BACKGROUND

Heterogeneity of psychopathological concepts such as depression hampers progress in research and clinical practice. Latent Variable Models (LVMs) have been widely used to reduce this problem by identification of more homogeneous factors or subgroups. However, heterogeneity exists at multiple levels (persons, symptoms, time) and LVMs cannot capture all these levels and their interactions simultaneously, which leads to incomplete models. Our objective is to briefly review the most widely used LVMs in depression research, illustrating their use and incompatibility in real data, and to consider an alternative, statistical approach, namely multimode principal component analysis (MPCA).

METHODS

We applied LVMs to data from 147 patients, who filled out the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS) at 9 time points. Compatibility of the results and suitability of the LVMs to capture the heterogeneity of the data were evaluated. Alternatively, MPCA was used to simultaneously decompose depression on the person-, symptom- and time-level and to investigate the interactions between these levels.

RESULTS

QIDS-data could be decomposed on the person-level (2 classes), symptom-level (2 factors) and time-level (2 trajectory-classes). However, these results could not be integrated into a single model. Instead, MPCA allowed for decomposition of the data at the person- (3 components), symptom- (2 components) and time-level (2 components) and for the investigation of these components' interactions.

CONCLUSIONS

Traditional LVMs have limited use when trying to define an integrated model of depression heterogeneity at the person, symptom and time level. More integrative statistical techniques such as MPCA can be used to address these relatively complex data patterns and could be used in future attempts to identify empirically-based subtypes/phenotypes of depression.

Efficacy and feasibility of a tele-health intervention for acute coronary syndrome patients with depression: results of the "MoodCare" randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Depression is common after a cardiac event, yet there remain few approaches to management that are both effective and scalable.

PURPOSE

We aimed to evaluate the 6-month efficacy and feasibility of a tele-health program (MoodCare) that integrates depression management into a cardiovascular disease risk reduction program for acute coronary syndrome patients with low mood.

METHODS

A two-arm, parallel, randomized design was used comprising 121 patients admitted to one of six hospitals for acute coronary syndrome.

RESULTS

Significant treatment effects were observed for Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ9) depression (mean difference [change] = -1.8; p = 0.025; effect size: d = 0.36) for the overall sample, when compared with usual medical care. Results were more pronounced effects for those with a history of depression (mean difference [change] = -2.7; p = 0.043; effect size: d = 0.65).

CONCLUSIONS

MoodCare was effective for improving depression in acute coronary syndrome patients, producing effect sizes exceeding those of some face-to-face psychotherapeutic interventions and pharmacotherapy. (

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN1260900038623.).

The intensive care unit psychosocial care scale: Development and initial validation

The main objective of the current study was to construct a new self-report scale - ICU-PC Scale - to measure the psychosocial care (PC) of patients in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and examine different psychometric issues in the development and initial validation of this scale. The findings indicate that the ICU-PC Scale has established high internal consistency. A three-factor structure - protection of human dignity and rights, transparency for decision making and care continuity and sustained patient, family orientation - has been identified with a substantial number of subjects (N=250) in hospital settings. The three oblique factor solutions are found to be interrelated and interdependent with good indices of internal consistency and content validity. This new instrument is the first of its kind to measure the psychosocial care to be provided to patients in the ICU. The present findings indicate that the ICU-PC scale, with additional factor analytic research, could become an established and clinical tool.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression improves pain and perceived control in cardiac surgery patients

BACKGROUND

Depression after cardiac surgery (CS) is associated with increased pain and decreased sleep quality. While cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aimed at depression is effective in relieving depressive symptoms after cardiac surgery, little is known about its ability to ameliorate other common postoperative problems that affect recovery and quality of life.

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of CBT for depression on pain severity, pain interference, sleep, and perceived control in patients recovering from CS.

METHODS

Depressed patients recovering from CS were randomized to receive either eight weeks of CBT or usual care. At baseline and post-intervention, patients completed questionnaires for depressive symptoms, pain, sleep, and perceived control. Group comparisons were conducted using t-tests or chi square analysis. Repeated measures analysis was used to assess the effect of the intervention in changes over time.

RESULTS

The sample (n=53) included 16.9% women and had a mean age of 67.8±9.2 years. CBT for depression increased perceived control (p<0.001) and decreased pain interference (p=0.02) and pain severity (p=0.03). Group effects remained significant (p<0.05) for perceived control and pain interference and a trend was observed for pain severity (p<0.10) after controlling for variables that differed at baseline. There were no group differences in sleep disturbance over time.

CONCLUSIONS

A depression-focused CBT intervention yields benefits in other common postoperative problems, specifically improved perceived control and decreased pain in depressed cardiac surgery patients.

Comparison of the Quality of Life after Skeletonized versus Pedicled Grafts in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

It remains a controversial issue whether internal thoracic artery (ITA) should be dissected in skeletonized or pedicled manner during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The main objective of this cohort study was to compare skeletonized versus pedicled grafts on the basis of patients' perceptions of their physical and mental well-being. Isolated nonemergent CABG patients were divided into two groups according to the type of graft used; skeletonized or pedicled. The quality of life (QOL) was measured preoperatively, 6 months postoperatively, and 12 months postoperatively for each patient using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey tool. The main outcome variables were physical component summary (PCS) score and mental component summary (MCS) score. A total of 140 patients were included in the study with 70 patients in each group. The PCS (p-value = 0.235) and MCS (p-value = 0.239) scores of patients were similar in both the groups before CABG. The PCS and MCS scores were significantly (p-values < 0.0001) improved after CABG at 6 months in both the groups. However, the PCS and MCS scores in the skeletonized group were significantly higher (p-values < 0.0001) than the scores in the pedicled group at 6 and 12 months post-CABG. Both the harvesting techniques improve QOL significantly after CABG. However, skeletonization results in significantly better PCS and MCS scores compared with pedicled harvesting technique.

Depressive symptom trajectories during and after adjuvant treatment for breast cancer

BACKGROUND

The course of depressive symptoms during and after breast cancer treatment is not well understood.

PURPOSE

We identified patient subgroups based on distinct trajectories of depressive symptoms and determined whether subgroups could be distinguished by personal characteristics and coping strategies.

METHODS

Breast cancer patients completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale on clinically meaningful occasions and during the posttreatment period. The Illness Management Questionnaire was completed prior to treatment.

RESULTS

A three-class mixture model provided the best fit to the data. Subgroup membership was significantly (p < .05) associated with marital status, history of depression, and focusing on symptoms. In multivariate analysis, marital status and focusing on symptoms remained significant (p < .05) predictors of subgroup membership.

CONCLUSIONS

Distinct trajectories can be identified during and after adjuvant breast cancer therapy. Predictors of these trajectories have implications for addressing depressive symptoms in this clinical population and for future research.

Persistent and fluctuating anxiety levels in the 18 months following acute myocardial infarction: the role of personality

OBJECTIVE

To identify the varying courses of anxiety symptoms in the first 18 months after a myocardial infarction (MI) and to examine the importance of personality in determining elevated anxiety.

METHODS

Four hundred eighty-six MI patients completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory during hospitalization and at 2-, 12- and 18-months post-MI. At baseline, patients also completed the DS14 Type D personality scale, Anxiety Sensitivity Index and Beck Depression Inventory, and clinical and sociodemographic information was collected.

RESULTS

Growth mixture modeling analysis identified four anxiety trajectories. The majority of patients reported stable anxiety scores over time, indicative of either persistent high (17%) or low (71%) anxiety. Patients in the other two smaller groups initially reported moderate levels of anxiety that fluctuated during follow-up. Type D personality [odds ratio (OR)=5.34; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.26-12.63], negative affectivity (OR=3.24; 95% CI: 1.29-8.14) and anxiety sensitivity (OR=3.35; 95% CI: 1.69-6.62) were the most prominent determinants of persistent high anxiety, independent of depression, sociodemographic and clinical factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The course of anxiety in the first 18 months after MI is relatively stable for the majority of patients. Patients with Type D personality, negative affectivity and anxiety sensitivity are at an increased risk for persisting elevated anxiety and should be identified and offered appropriate treatment.

Impact of physical activity on depression after cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND

Physical activity is associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms in cardiac patients. However, the benefits of physical activity on depression perioperatively are unknown. We sought to identify independent parameters associated with depression in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

METHODS

Patients awaiting nonemergent cardiac surgery (n = 436) completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to quantify depression (PHQ-9 score > 9). Physical activity was assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-short) and accelerometry. Data collection occurred preoperatively (Q1, n = 436), at hospital discharge (Q2, n = 374), at 3 months (Q3, n = 318), and at 6 months (Q4, n = 342) postoperatively. Patients were categorized as "depression naive", "at risk" or "depressed" preoperatively. Physical inactivity was defined as < 600 metabolic equivalent min/wk. Independent perioperative variables associated with depression were identified with univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Depression prevalence from Q1-Q4 was 23%, 37%, 21%, and 23%, respectively. Independent associations with depression were preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction < 50% (Q1, P < 0.05), physical inactivity (Q1, P < 0.05), baseline "at-risk" (Q2, P < 0.05), and baseline "depressed" groups (Q2-Q4, P < 0.05), hospital stay > 7 days (Q2, P < 0.05), postoperative stressful event (Q3 and Q4, P < 0.05), and cardiopulmonary bypass time > 120 minutes (Q4, P = 0.05). Newly depressed patients 6 months postoperatively reported lower IPAQ-short physical activity than depression-free patients (median change, -40 min/wk (interquartile range [IQR], -495 to +255) vs +213 min/wk (IQR, +150 to +830; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Up to 40% of patients are depressed after cardiac surgery. Preoperative depression and postoperative stressful events were the strongest independent associations postoperatively. Physical inactivity was associated with preoperative depression and new depression 6 months postoperatively.

Persistent depressive symptoms and pain after cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE

Our objectives were to describe trajectories of depressive symptoms and pain at hospital discharge and 6 weeks later and to examine the relationship of persistent depressive symptoms to pain.

METHODS

Before and 6 weeks after hospital discharge, 251 patients undergoing cardiac surgery (mean [SD] age = 67.3 [9.5] years; 73% male) completed the Beck Depression Inventory and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Patients were categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of persistent depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory score >10 at both times). Between-group differences in pain interference (BPI-INT) and pain severity (BPI-SEV) were evaluated using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Linear regressions were performed to determine if changes in depressive symptoms were related to BPI-INT and BPI-SEV, controlling for demographic and clinical data.

RESULTS

Persistent (16.3%) or worsening depressive symptoms (15.3%) from hospital discharge to 6 weeks were observed; many experienced at least some persistent pain (BPI-INT 67.8%, BPI-SEV 47.8%). From discharge to 6 weeks, patients with persistent depressive symptoms sustained higher levels of BPI-INT (p < .001) and BPI-SEV (p < .003). In multivariate analysis, only changes in depressive symptoms, not clinical and demographic variables, were related to BPI-INT (p < .001) and BPI-SEV (p = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Persistent depressive symptoms are independently associated with continued pain up to 6 weeks after hospital discharge. Successful treatment of ongoing pain should include screening for depressive symptoms and initiation of appropriate treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATON

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00522717.

Depressive symptoms after CABG surgery: a meta-analysis

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After participating in this educational activity, the reader should be better able to measure the risk of depression before and after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery; examine the course of depression after CABG; and apply the results of the study to the treatment of patients.

OBJECTIVE

Depression is highly comorbid with coronary artery disease. Clinicians face the question of whether patients' depressive symptoms will improve after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). The objective of this meta-analysis is to determine the course of depressive symptoms after CABG.

METHODS

EMBASE, PubMed, and PsycINFO were searched for studies assessing depression before and after CABG. Meta-analyses were performed for depression at early (1-2 weeks), recovery (>2 weeks to 2 months), mid (>2 months to 6 months), and late (>6 months) postoperative time points. Heterogeneity and publication bias were analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Twelve reported dichotomous outcomes; 18 reported continuous outcomes; and 9 reported both. Risk of depression was increased early (relative risk [RR] = 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.61). There was a significantly decreased risk of depression at recovery (RR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90), mid (RR = 0.64; 95% CI, 0.58-0.70), and late (RR = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.58-0.79) time points without heterogeneity. All studies reporting continuous depression scales had significant heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of depression decreased post-CABG when depression was measured dichotomously. While depression improves overall and remits for some patients after CABG, the majority of patients will not experience remission of depression. Preoperative and postoperative depression monitoring is important.

Intra-individual changes in anxiety and depression during 12-month follow-up in percutaneous coronary intervention patients

BACKGROUND

Only a paucity of studies focused on intra-individual changes in anxiety and depression over time and its correlates in cardiac patients, which may contribute to the identification of high-risk patients and point to targets for intervention. We examined changes in anxiety and depression over a 12-month period and the demographic and clinical correlates of change scores using an intra-individual approach in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

Consecutive PCI patients (N=715) completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at baseline and at 12 months post-PCI. Individual change scores were calculated and in secondary analysis, three categories of change were identified (i.e., stable, improved, and deteriorated anxiety or depression).

RESULTS

The mean individual change was -.16 (± 3.0) for anxiety and -.02 (± 2.8) for depression. In linear regression analysis, baseline anxiety levels (B = -.25, 95%CI[-.30 to -.20], p = <.001) and baseline depression levels (B = -.28, 95%CI[-.33 to -.22], p =< .001) were significant correlates of individual change scores. Secondary analysis showed that anxiety remained stable in 76.4% (546/715) of patients, while depression remained stable in 81.4% (582/715) of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the current study showed that levels of anxiety and depression remained stable in the majority of PCI patients from the index PCI to 12 months post-PCI. Future studies using an intra-individual approach are warranted to further examine individual changes in anxiety and depression over time in CAD, and PCI in particular, as a means to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice.

Distinct psychological distress trajectories in rheumatoid arthritis: findings from an inception cohort

OBJECTIVE

As with other chronic physical illness, rates of depressive disorder are high in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of the current study was to identify distinct trajectories of psychological distress over 10 years in a cohort of RA patients recruited very early in the course of the disease.

METHODS

Psychological distress as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale total score was assessed annually in a subgroup of 784 patients enrolled in a multi-centre RA inception cohort (Early RA Study). A latent growth mixture modelling (GMM) approach was used to identify distinct psychological distress patterns.

RESULTS

Four distinct psychological distress trajectories were observed: low-stable (68%), high-stable (12%), high-decreasing (9%) and low-increasing (11%). Symptoms of pain, stiffness and functional impairment were significantly associated with levels of psychological distress at the time of diagnosis and after 3 years; serological markers of disease activity (ESR and CRP) were not.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the majority of individuals developing RA experience little or no impact of the effects of the disease on their psychological well-being, a significant proportion experience high levels of distress at some point which may be related to their subjective appraisal of their condition. Assessment and treatment of psychological distress should occur synchronously with somatic symptoms.

Depression screening in patients with coronary heart disease: a critical evaluation of the AHA guidelines

OBJECTIVE

We lack evidence that routine screening for depression in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) improves patient outcome. This lack has challenged the advisory issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) to routinely screen for depression in CHD patients. We assess the AHA advisory in the context of well-established criteria of screening for diseases.

METHODS

Using principles and criteria for screening developed by the World Health Organization and the United Kingdom National Screening Committee, we generated criteria pertinent to screening for depression in CHD patients. To find publications relevant to these criteria and clinical setting, we performed a broadly based literature search on "depression and CHD," supplemented by more focused literature searches.

RESULTS

Evidence for an association between depression and CHD is strong. Despite this, the AHA advisory has several limitations. It did not account for the complexity of the association between depression and CHD. It acknowledged there was no evidence that screening for depression leads to improved outcomes in cardiovascular populations but still recommended routine screening without providing an alternative evidence-based explanation. It ignored the paucity of literature about the safety and cost-effectiveness of routine screening for depression in CHD and failed to define the nature and extent of resources needed to implement such a program effectively.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the AHA advisory is premature. We must first demonstrate the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of screening and define the resources necessary for its implementation and monitoring. Meanwhile, organizations representing cardiologists, psychiatrists, and general practitioners must coordinate efforts to manage depression and CHD through collaborative care, and work with the policy makers to develop the necessary infrastructure and services delivery system needed to optimize the outcome of depressed and at-risk-for-depression patients suffering from CHD.