Characteristics of anxiety-depression and value of medicinal intervention in patients with coronary heart disease

Yan Chengying; Wang Xiaoyong; Wen Yuanshan; Huang Xuelian; Wang Wu; Yang Jiyu; Chang Cailian; Zhang Lu

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-4055.2018.11.19

Abstract：Objective To investigate the characteristics of anxiety-depression and value of medicinal intervention in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods The patients hospitalized with chest pain (n=198) were chosen from Mar. 2015 to Mar. 2017, and divided, according to coronary CT results, into CHD group (n=84) and non-CHD group (n=114). The status of anxiety and depression were reviewed by using Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) in all patients after hospitalization. CHD was again divided, according to HAMA scores or HAMD scores above 7, into medicated group and non-mediated group. The medicated group was given flupentixol-melitracen tablets (10.5 mg in the morning and at noon) for 4 weeks on the base of routine drug therapy and psychological counseling. The improved conditions were observed after 4 weeks. Results The percentages of patients with anxiety was 60.7% (51/84) and those with anxiety complicated by depression was 47.6% (40/84) in CHD group, and percentages of patients with anxiety was 41.2% (47/114) and those with anxiety complicated by depression was 31.6% (36/114) in non-CHD group (all P<0.05). HAMA scores and HAMD scores were higher in CHD group than those in non-CHD group (P<0.05). HAMA scores and HAMD scores decreased significantly in medicated group after treatment for 4 weeks (all P<0.05), and HAMA scores and HAMD scores had no significant changes in non-medicated group (all P>0.05) after treatment. Conclusion CHD patients with chest pain are easily complicated by anxiety or anxiety complicated by depression. The drug therapy bases on psychological counseling can relieve anxiety and depression in CHD patients.