AbstractBackground and purpose: Earlier the recognition of psychological states like anxiety and depression had shown the poor prognosis and non-adherence to the interventions given in chronic illness. There are few studies in India evaluating the association between the psychological impairments with cardiac and chronic pulmonary diseases. Future studies with larger sample and longer periods of follow up are needed to validate the findings and to assess the long term burden of psychological issues following the chronic disorders. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in cardiopulmonary patients. Methods: A survey of a sample size of 300 had done among cardiac and pulmonary disease patients. Participants completed a questionnaire along with the demographic information about them; designed to determine symptoms of anxiety and depression. Responses are summarized for each item and the data was analyzed to examine the relationship between the diseases and the psychological impairments like anxiety and depression. Results: The study investigated the prevalence of undiagnosed anxiety and depression in cardiac and pulmonary patients. This study illustrates the prevalence of cardiac and pulmonary patients that 36% of patients suffered from anxiety and 62.67% had depression in cardiac illness; and in pulmonary patients 38.67% suffered from anxiety and 72% had depression. The study revealed positive outcomes that anxiety and depression symptoms are present in cardiac and pulmonary patients based on HADS score. Discussion and conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety and depression in Indian patients following the cardiac and pulmonary disorders are high. This study proves an association between the cardiopulmonary diseases and symptoms of anxiety and depression. It shows that it is important to screen for symptoms of anxiety and depression in cardiac and pulmonary patients for possibility of depression and anxiety treatment. Detection and management of these mental disorders may ameliorate prognosis of the cardiac and pulmonary diseases and improve the adaptation and quality of life of these patients.
Keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Cardiac Diseases; Pulmonary Diseases; HADS.