Comparative Study of Prevalence of Psychological Distress Factors in Coronary Heart Disease Patients Living Under Disturbed Conditions and a normal place of North India.
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Date
2012-04
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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.
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Keywords
Coronary heart disease, perceived stress, depression, anxiety, stressful conditions, risk factors
Citation
Nehra Dharmender Kumar, Sharma Nov Rattan, Ali Gazanfar, Margoob Mushtaq Ahmed, Mushtaq Huda, Kumar Pradeep, Nehra Sheetal. Comparative Study of Prevalence of Psychological Distress Factors in Coronary Heart Disease Patients Living Under Disturbed Conditions and a normal place of North India. Delhi Psychiatry journal. 2012 Apr; 15 (1): 99-106.