Key Points
- To evaluate the statistical independence and confounding among multiple psychometric scales linked to cardiac mortality, using age at initial ischemic coronary heart disease (ICHD) diagnosis as a proxy for disease malignancy.
- Assessed traditional and psychometric risk factors in 83 patients (35 females) with documented ICHD.
- Administered four psychometric instruments: Beck Depression Inventory, Crown-Crisp Phobic Anxiety Scale, Type D Scale, and the Ketterer Stress Symptom Frequency Checklist (KSSFC).
- Analyzed independent predictors of age at initial diagnosis using stepwise multiple regression across the full cohort and within a subgroup with spouse/friend KSSFC reports (n = 58).
- Psychometric risk factors demonstrated moderate-to-strong intercorrelations and were heavily confounded with respect to age at initial diagnosis.
- In stepwise multiple regression, only the aggravation, irritation, anger, and impatience (AIAI) scale of the KSSFC remained a significant predictor of age at initial diagnosis (P = 0.016).
- In the subgroup with informant ratings (n = 58), spouse/friend-reported AIAI was the sole surviving predictor (P = 0.010).
Structured PICO
Do specific psychometric scales independently predict the age at initial diagnosis in patients with ischaemic coronary heart disease?
PPopulation83 patients with documented ischaemic coronary heart disease (ICHD), including 35 females
IInterventionPsychometric scales assessment (Beck Depression Inventory, Crown-Crisp Phobic Anxiety Scale, Type D Scale & Ketterer Stress Symptom Frequency Checklist)
OOutcomeAge at initial diagnosis of ischaemic coronary heart disease (used as a proxy for disease malignancy)
Among several psychometric measures, only the aggravation, irritation, anger, and impatience (AIAI) scale independently predicted the age at initial diagnosis of ischaemic coronary heart disease, suggesting that a single screening instrument may be sufficient.
Limitations
- Needs replication in a prospective study of diagnosed ICHD patients for all important clinical outcomes