Angina Symptom Burden Associated with Depression Status Among Veterans with Ischemic Heart Disease

BACKGROUND: Angina and depression are common in ischemic heart disease (IHD), but their association remains understudied. PURPOSE: This study was conducted in order to evaluate the association of 1 year change in depression with change in patient-reported outcomes of stable angina. METHODS: Five hundred sixty-nine stable angina patients completed the Seattle Angina Questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) at baseline and 1 year. Participants were divided into four groups: not depressed, new onset of depression at 1 year, remitted at 1 year, and persistently depressed. Associations between depression and angina symptoms were evaluated using regression models. RESULTS: Compared to those not depressed, newly depressed participants reported more angina (β = -11.7, p < 0.001) and physical limitations (β = -11.8, p < 0.001) and lower treatment satisfaction (β = -15.03, p < 0.001) and quality of life (β = -15.4, p < 0.001). Persistently depressed participants reported physical limitations (β = -7.4, p < 0.05), lower treatment satisfaction (β = -10.1, p < 0.001), and poorer quality of life (β = -10.03, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in depression scores and angina outcomes were significantly associated.