Correlation among anxiety and depression, fear of disease progression, and social support in coronary heart disease

World J Psychiatry. 2024 Nov 19;14(11):1708-1717. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v14.i11.1708.

Abstract

Background: The mental well-being of individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD) during the intensive care unit (ICU) transition period is a multifaceted and significant concern. In this phase, the individuals might encounter psychological challenges like anxiety and depression, which can impede their recuperation and potentially have lasting effects on their health.

Aim: To investigate the correlation among psychological factors in CHD patients in the ICU transition period.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted with 119 patients admitted to the ICU after coronary artery bypass grafting between March and December 2023. Variations in Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (Fop-Q-SF), and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) were collected and analyzed among diverse populations. We used Pearson's correlation analysis to examine the correlation. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore whether these indicators influenced depression and anxiety in the patients.

Results: The total scores for anxiety, depression, fear of disease progression, and social support were (7.50 ± 1.41) points, (8.38 ± 1.62) points, (35.19 ± 8.14) points, and (36.34 ± 7.08) points, respectively (P < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that both the level of disease progression and social support affected the level of postoperative depression and anxiety in patients.

Conclusion: The anxiety and depression levels were positively related to each dimension of phobia disease progression and negatively related to each dimension of social support among patients with CHD.

Keywords: Anxiety and depression; Coronary heart disease; Fear of disease progression; Intensive care unit transition period; Social support level.