Anxiety and health-related quality of life in patients awaiting elective coronary angiography.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to document the impact of waiting for first-time elective coronary angiography (CA) on patients' anxiety and health-related quality of life (HRQL).


METHODS
A prospective, observational inception cohort pretest and posttest design was used.


METHODS
The study was conducted in a tertiary community cardiac center in Toronto, Canada.


METHODS
Disease-specific HRQL was measured using the Seattle Angina Questionnaire at baseline (Time 1 [T1]) and 1 week before CA (Time 2 [T2]). The association between time on the waiting list and subjects' perceived anxiety was analyzed.


RESULTS
Paired-sample t tests comparing mean anxiety levels at T1 and T2 indicated a statistically significant increase in anxiety levels at T2 that did not seem to be related to the waiting time for CA (P =.000). Comparison of mean Seattle Angina Questionnaire scores at T1 and T2 indicated a trend toward deterioration in HRQL over time.


CONCLUSIONS
Waiting for elective CA may have a negative impact on patients' psychologic status and HRQL. Nursing and clinical interventions to reduce anxiety and improve HRQL are indicated for this population.
De Jong-Watt
Wynne J
WJ
Roge Valley Health System, Centenary Health Center Site and Cardiac Care Network of Ontario, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.
Arthur
Heather M
HM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002170:Canada; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035501:Uncertainty; D014850:Waiting Lists