Prevalence and predictors of psychological distress in congenital heart disease patients

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine psychological distress in congenital heart disease (CHD) patients.MethodsCross‐sectional study among consecutive CHD patients recruited from a single hospital outpatient clinic to determine anxiety and depression according to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire.ResultsOne hundred and sixty‐nine CHD patients [29 (19–39) years old, 100 (59%) males] were studied. A total of 25% and 9% of CHD patients showed anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively. Patients with an HADS score ≥ 8 had a significantly worse New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, needed more psychological support, had more mental health history, and took more anxiolytic/antidepressant medication than the CHD patients with an HADS score below 8. A worse NYHA functional class [OR, 1.88 (1.01–3.52)] proved to be a predictor of a borderline/abnormal HADS score.ConclusionPsychological distress has a high prevalence among CHD patients and having an NYHA Class II and III is a significant predictor of an HADS score ≥ 8.

Potential role of salivary cortisol levels to reflect stress response in children undergoing congenital heart surgery

“…[4][5][6] It has been reported that children with advanced cardiac failure are psychologically affected to the extent that they need support during the treatment process. 7 However, perioperative dynamics and variability of stress markers in children undergoing paediatric cardiac surgery have not sufficiently addressed. 8 In the clinical setting, salivary hormone measurement has a reliable reflection of stressrelated serum cortisol levels in certain patient groups.…”

Heart-Focused Anxiety Is Prevalent in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease and Associated With Reduced Exercise Capacity

“…Illness and medical interventions in infancy and ongoing medical follow-ups expose patients with CHD to psychological vulnerability 4. Previous studies showed increased psychological distress and anxiety in this patient cohort 5,6. However, anxiety is a very broad generic term for various diagnoses 7.…”

Feasibility and Caregiver Receptiveness to Anxiety Screening in Pediatric Cardiology Clinic: A Pilot Study

“…12-18 Studies of adults with CHD also show higher rates of anxiety and other psychiatric disorders. 19-23 Through anecdotal experience as well as evidence from literature, the presence of anxiety in conjunction with a CMC can affect clinical care, for instance through reduced medication adherence and increased office or emergency room visits. 11,24-26…”

“…[12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Studies of adults with CHD also show higher rates of anxiety and other psychiatric disorders. [19][20][21][22][23] Through anecdotal experience as well as evidence from literature, the presence of anxiety in conjunction with a CMC can affect clinical care, for instance through reduced medication adherence and increased office or emergency room visits. 11,[24][25][26] Screening for behavioral health (BH) conditions is commonly performed in the pediatric primary-care setting and has been associated with better access to quality BH services for patients.…”