Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression in Pulmonary Hypertension and Changes during Therapy

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) leads to reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Objective: To investigate the prevalence and course of anxiety and depression and their association with HRQoL, disease severity and survival in PH. Methods: 131 PH patients (91 pulmonary arterial, 30 chronic thromboembolic, 10 due to lung disease; 84 female, 47 male) had repeated assessments with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), HRQoL, six-minute walk distance and WHO functional class during a mean course of 16 ± 12 months. Results: Among the 49 incident and 82 prevalent PH patients, the HADS score was positive in 53%/21% (depression), 51%/24% (anxiety) and 63%/26% (total score) (all p < 0.05). The HADS score was improved at the second assessment in incident patients. The HADS score correlated with HRQoL at all consecutive assessments and with functional class until the third assessment, but not with baseline hemodynamics, age or gender. Conclusion: Mood disorders remain underdiagnosed in PH. The higher prevalence of anxiety/depression in incident versus prevalent patients and the improvement over time may indicate an amelioration of mood disorders after PH diagnosis and treatment.

Fatigue and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Sarcoidosis: Prevalence, Predictors, and Relationships between the Two Symptoms

“…The presence 196 of anxiety and depression in sarcoidosis patients should, therefore, always be actively investigated in order not to underestimate the presence of mood disorders as in other chronic diseases [42,43] . On the other hand, an additional psychological disorder, such as depression or anxiety, should be considered in all patients who complain of severe fatigue, and specific diagnostics should always be carried out.…”

Effect of hypoxia and hyperoxia on exercise performance in healthy individuals and in patients with pulmonary hypertension: a systematic review

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Metacognitive Therapy for Adjustment Disorder in a Patient With Newly Diagnosed Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Case Report

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