Comparative Study of Prevalence of Psychological Distress Factors in Coronary Heart Disease Patients Living Under Disturbed Conditions and a normal place of North India.

ABSTRACT

Background: The experience of heart disease seems to contribute to risk for numerous psychiatric problems, especially depression, anxiety, and stress. Although, these psychosocial factors appear to be outside the immediate realm of medicine, they have a profound impact on morbidity and mortality in cardiac patients. Aims: Purpose of the present study was to assess psychological distress (depression, anxiety, perceived stress) in Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) patients and compare the levels of these constructs among CHD patients living in disturbed condition (Kashmir) and a normal place (Haryana). Methods: Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4) were administered to a total of 200 male participants, 100 (50 CHD Patients and 50 healthy controls) from Kashmir and 100 (50 CHD Patients and 50 healthy controls) from Haryana. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS- 12.0. Results: The results revealed a high prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress in our study groups from both the places. Unlike Haryana, the stress levels between the CHD patients and healthy controls in the Kashmiri population did not show any significant difference. Comparison of depression between the study groups of the two states also did not reveal any significant difference. Further comparison of anxiety and stress between the study groups of the two states revealed a highly significant difference. The levels of depression, anxiety and stress in the control groups of the 2 states also differed significantly with alarmingly higher levels of psychological distress in the Kashmiri population. Conclusions: Thus, our study suggests that increased exposure of the Kashmiri population to traumatic events and stressful conditions has increased their levels of emotional distress, adversely affecting the mental connotation of their chronic physical condition (CHD) as well as putting the whole population at a greater risk of developing psychological problems due to extremely high levels of psychological distress.