Comorbid psychiatric disorders are highly prevalent among patients entering cardiac rehabilitation, supporting the need for routine screening in outpatient cardiac settings.
In Brief PURPOSE Anxiety and depressive disorders have been established as independent risk factors for the development of and recovery from coronary heart disease (CHD). However, few studies have reported on the prevalence and personal characteristics of comorbid psychiatric disorders (PD) among cardiac populations. This project examined the prevalence of comorbid depressive and anxiety disorders among men and women with CHD commencing cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and the demographic, medical, and psychosocial characteristics among those meeting multiple PD criteria. METHODS Participants were 143 CHD patients (M age, 61 years; SD, 11.2; 70% men, 91% Caucasian, 64% married) entering CR who were evaluated via a semistructured, psychiatric interview to assess both current and lifetime prevalence rates of PD. Demographic, medical, and psychosocial variables were also assessed. RESULTS Approximately 45% met criteria for at least 1 anxiety disorder, and 20% met criteria for either major depressive disorder or dysthymic disorder either at the time of evaluation or in their lifetime. Across all participants, 26% met criteria for ≥2 PD. Of those with a depressive disorder, 76% also met criteria for at least 1 anxiety disorder. Participants with comorbid PD were of younger age and female and reported less education (P < .01). Comorbidity was also associated with self-reported overall diminished physical, emotional, and social quality of life, depression, and anxiety. CONCLUSION Comorbid PD are highly prevalent in the CR setting and are associated with specific demographic characteristics and reduced quality of life. These data offer additional support that routine screening for PD is warranted in outpatient cardiac settings. This project examined the prevalence and personal characteristics of comorbid depressive and anxiety disorders among patients entering cardiac rehabilitation. Comorbid psychiatric disorders (PD) were highly prevalent and were associated with specific demographic characteristics and reduced quality of life. Findings offer support for routine PD screening in cardiac settings.
Serber et al. (Fri,) studied this question.