Key result
Clinical diagnosis of inherited cardiac disorders was associated with higher anxiety scores for avoidance (p<0.002), attention (p<0.005), and fear (p<0.007) compared to genetic risk alone.
Why the study?
Does clinical diagnosis compared to genetic risk predict higher heart-focused anxiety in patients undergoing genetic counseling for Long QT syndrome or Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
Population
126 Norwegian patients attending genetic counseling for Long QT syndrome or Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Comparison
Genetic investigation and counseling vs Patients with clinical diagnosis compared to…
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
1 year
Authors
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Patients with LQTS/HCM may have persistent heart-focused anxiety after counseling; leaves open whether interventions reduce avoidance.
Cohort (n=126)
Yes
Does clinical diagnosis compared to genetic risk predict higher heart-focused anxiety in patients undergoing genetic counseling for Long QT syndrome or Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
p-value: p=<0.002 (avoidance), <0.005 (attention), <0.007 (fear)
Patients with a clinical diagnosis of inherited cardiac disorders experience significantly higher heart-focused anxiety than those only at genetic risk, highlighting the need for targeted psychological support during genetic counseling.
Hamang et al. (2011) conducted a cohort in Long QT syndrome or Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (n=126). Clinical diagnosis vs. Genetic risk was evaluated on Heart-focused anxiety (avoidance, attention, and fear) measured by the Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire (p=<0.002 (avoidance), <0.005 (attention), <0.007 (fear)). Clinical diagnosis of inherited cardiac disorders was associated with higher anxiety scores for avoidance (p<0.002), attention (p<0.005), and fear (p<0.007) compared to genetic risk alone.
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