Comorbidity of depression and anxiety leads to a poor prognosis following angina pectoris patients: a prospective study

The mediating role of cardiac patients' perception of nursing care on the relationship between kinesiophobia, anxiety and depression in rural hospitals: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Kinesiophobia could act as a significant barrier against physical activity following cardiac procedures worsening cardiovascular health problems and potentially leading to conditions like hospital-acquired anxiety and depression among patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Nurses are the vanguard health care team who can aid patients in taking proactive steps to overcome fear of movement following cardiac procedures.

AIM

The overarching aim is to investigate the relationship between kinesiophobia, anxiety and depression, and patients' perception of nursing care.

METHOD

A descriptive correlational research design in two rural hospitals, conducted at cardiac intensive care units of Kafr Eldawar Hospital and Damanhur Medical National Institute. Data were collected from 265 nurses, using the following patient-reported outcome measures, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Person-Centered Critical Care Nursing Questionnaire (PCCNP) and the patients' demographic and clinical profile.

RESULT

A significant negative correlation was found between HADS and PCCNP (r: -0.510, p < 0.001) however, Kinesiophobia was significantly and positively correlated (r: 0.271, p < 0.001). A direct effect of PCCNP in the presence of the mediator was found to be not statistically significant (-0.015, CR = 0.302, p = 0.763). Nonetheless, PCCNP indirectly affects kinesiophobia through HADS (p=-0.099).

IMPLICATION FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Customizing individualized cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs based on the emotional experience of cardiac patients will be conducive to rehabilitation and prognosis for patients, thereby lessening the physical burden and improving their quality of life.

Identification of novel rare variants for anxiety: an exome-wide association study in the UK Biobank

BACKGROUND

Rare variants are believed to play a substantial role in the genetic architecture of mental disorders, particularly in coding regions. However, limited evidence supports the impact of rare variants on anxiety.

METHODS

Using whole-exome sequencing data from 200,643 participants in the UK Biobank, we investigated the contribution of rare variants to anxiety. Firstly, we computed genetic risk score (GRS) of anxiety utilizing genotype data and summary data from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on anxiety disorder. Subsequently, we identified individuals within the lowest 50% GRS, a subgroup more likely to carry pathogenic rare variants. Within this subgroup, we classified individuals with the highest 10% 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) score as cases (N = 1869), and those with the lowest 10% GAD-7 score were designated as controls (N = 1869). Finally, we conducted gene-based burden tests and single-variant association analyses to assess the relationship between rare variants and anxiety.

RESULTS

Totally, 47,800 variants with MAF ≤0.01 were annotated as non-benign coding variants, consisting of 42,698 nonsynonymous SNVs, 489 nonframeshift substitution, 236 frameshift substitution, 617 stop-gain and 40 stop-loss variants. After variation aggregation, 5066 genes were included in gene-based association analysis. Totally, 11 candidate genes were detected in burden test, such as RNF123 (PBonferroni adjusted = 3.40 × 10-6), MOAP1(PBonferroni adjusted = 4.35 × 10-4), CCDC110 (PBonferroni adjusted = 5.83 × 10-4). Single-variant test detected 9 rare variants, such as rs35726701(RNF123)(PBonferroni adjusted = 3.16 × 10-10) and rs16942615(CAMTA2) (PBonferroni adjusted = 4.04 × 10-4). Notably, RNF123, CCDC110, DNAH2, and CSKMT gene were identified in both tests.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identified novel candidate genes for anxiety in protein-coding regions, revealing the contribution of rare variants to anxiety.

The Role of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Depression and Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Several studies have been conducted to prove the bidirectional relationship between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and depression. These two major illnesses share several common risk factors such that the development of either condition may increase the risk of the occurrence of the other. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been suggested as a reliable biomarker for depression and a strong predictor of CVD because it plays an important role in neuron survival and growth, serves as a neurotransmitter modulator, and promotes neuronal plasticity. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the bidirectional relationship between CVD and depression, focusing on the potential role of low serum BDNF levels in the development of either disease in the presence of the other.

METHODS

A systematic search strategy was developed using PRISMA guidelines.

RESULTS

Six studies (comprising 1251 patients) were identified, all of which examined the association between CVD and depression.

CONCLUSIONS

It was found that there may be a strong association between low serum BDNF levels and the risk of post-stroke depression. However, the studies on the role of altered serum BDNF levels and other types of CVD are few. Therefore, the inverse association between depression and CVD cannot be proven.

Underestimated prognostic value of depression in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the different predictive values of depression among patients with different cardiac systolic function levels.

METHODS

Four hundred eighty-three consecutive patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) were included the depressive state was assessed using the Chinese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9). Depression was defined as have depressive symptoms with a PHQ-9 score ≥5. The level of cardiac systolic function was classified as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50 and <50%.

RESULTS

Over a median of 26.2 months, 421 patients completed the follow-up and experienced 101 major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), 45 non-cardiac rehospitalizations, and 17 deaths. Predictors for clinical outcomes in patients with different cardiac systolic function levels were not the same. For participants with preserved LVEF, depression was associated with increased risks for cardiovascular events and composite outcomes. However, when focusing the whole population, predictive values of depression for MACEs, non-cardiac rehospitalizations, and composite endpoints all dropped. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses further confirmed that depression was the one of the main predictors for all clinical outcomes. With the combination of other simple features, area under curve (AUC) could reach 0.64-0.67.

CONCLUSIONS

Inconsistent with the general impression, depression is found to have a closer linkage with clinical outcomes in CAD patients with preserved LVEF rather than in those with decreased LVEF. These findings appeal for more attention on CAD patients with depressive symptoms and comparatively normal LVEF. Including psychological factors may be a good attempt when constructing risk prediction models.

Multimorbidity, depression with anxiety symptoms, and decrements in health in 47 low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUND

Comorbid depression and anxiety is associated with worse health outcomes compared to depression or anxiety occurring in isolation, but there is little data on its association with multimorbidity. Thus, we investigated this association across 47 low- and middle-income countries, and further explored whether having anxiety symptoms in addition to depression is associated with significant declines in health outcomes among those with multimorbidity.

METHODS

Cross-sectional, predominantly nationally representative, community-based data were analyzed from the World Health Survey. DSM-IV depression was assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Anxiety symptoms referred to severe/extreme problems with worry or anxiety. Ten chronic conditions and health status across five domains (cognition, interpersonal activities, sleep/energy, self-care, pain/discomfort) were assessed. Multivariable regression analyses conducted.

RESULTS

Data included 237,952 adults aged ≥18 years [mean age (SD) 38.4 (16.0); 50.8 % females]. Compared to no chronic conditions, 2 (OR = 6.86; 95%CI = 5.59-8.42), 3 (OR = 12.33; 95%CI = 9.72-15.63), and ≥4 (OR = 26.55; 95%CI = 20.21-35.17) chronic conditions were associated with significantly higher odds for comorbid depression/anxiety symptoms (vs. no depression or anxiety symptoms) in the multinomial logistic regression model. Among those with depression and multimorbidity, anxiety symptoms were associated with significantly worse health status across all domains.

LIMITATIONS

Cross-sectional design, depression and anxiety symptoms were not based on a clinical assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

Comorbid depression/anxiety is common in people with multimorbidity, and anxiety symptoms in people with depression and multimorbidity signify worse health status. Future studies should assess the utility of screening for and treating comorbid depression/anxiety in patients with multimorbidity in terms of clinical outcomes.

Mindfulness-based intervention in patients with persistent pain in chest (MIPIC) of non-cardiac cause: a feasibility randomised control study

Objective

The study evaluated the feasibility of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in patients with non-cardiac chest pain by assessing their willingness to participate and adhere to the programme, and for these data to help further refine the content of MBCT for chest pain.

Patients and methods

This prospective 2:1 randomised controlled trial compared the intervention of adapted MBCT as an addition to usual care with just usual care in controls. Among 573 patients who attended the rapid access chest pain clinic over the previous 12 months and were not diagnosed with a cardiac cause but had persistent chest pain were invited. The intervention was a 2-hour, weekly, online guided 8-week MBCT course. Compliance with attendance and the home practice was recorded. Enrolled patients completed the Seattle angina questionnaire (SAQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire, Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, and Euro Quality of Life–5 Dimensions–5 Level at baseline assessment and after 8-week period.

Results

Persistent chest pain was reported by 114 patients. Of these, 33 (29%) patients with a mean age of 54.2 (±12.2) years and 68% women, consented to the study. Baseline questionnaires revealed mild physical limitation (mean SAQ, 76.8±25), high levels of anxiety (76%) and depression (53%), modest cardiac anxiety (CAQ,1.78±0.61) and mindfulness score (FFMQ, 45.5±7.3). Six patients subsequently withdrew due to bereavement, caring responsibilities and ill health. Of the remaining 27 participants, 18 in the intervention arm attended an average of 5 sessions with 61% attending ≥6 sessions. Although not statistically powered, the study revealed a significant reduction in general anxiety, improved mindfulness and a trend towards improvement in SAQ scores in the intervention arm.

Conclusion

One-third of patients with persistent non-cardiac chest pain were willing to participate in mindfulness-based therapy. An improvement in anxiety and mindfulness was detected in this feasibility study. A larger trial is required to demonstrate improvement in chest pain symptoms.

Associations Among Depression, Hemoglobin A1c Level, and Prognosis in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

Depression is ubiquitous in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The relationship between depression and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is controversial. The combined effect of high HbA1c and depression on prognosis is unclear, especially in non-diabetic CAD patients. We sought to explore these associations.

METHODS

558 CAD patients were included in this prospective study. Patients were grouped by HbA1c levels and the status of clinical depression. The average follow-up period was about 2.2 years, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare the differences of prognosis in all the groups.

RESULTS

Clinical depression had no associations with HbA1c in all CAD patients (P for Pearson correlation = 0.74). In the all four groups, compared to group 1 (patients without clinical depression and low HbA1c), group 3 (without clinical depression and high HbA1c) had a higher risk of MACE (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-3.25) and composite events (aHR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.09-2.053). Group 4 (patients with clinical depression and high HbA1c) had higher HRs for MACE (aHR, 2.9; 95%CI, 1.32-6.38) and composite events (aHR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.06-4.25). In CAD patients without diabetes, patients with clinical depression and high HbA1c had a higher risk of MACE (HR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.02-7.19), non-cardiac readmission (HR,3.48; 95% CI, 1.26-9.57) and composite events (HR,2.44; 95% CI, 1.08-5.53) than those with no clinical depression and low HbA1c. In patients with comorbidities of depression and diabetes, patients with depression and high HbA1c more likely to experienced non-cardiac readmissions (HR, 4.49; 95% CI, 1.31-15.38) than patients with no depression and low HbA1c only. In all the above analysis, p-values for interaction between clinical depression and HbA1c were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of both depression and high HbA1c lead to a worse prognosis in CAD patients than one risk factor alone, no matter with or without the comorbidity of diabetes in these CAD patients. For patients with CAD and depression, lower HbA1c may be required.