Relationship of quality of life and perceived control with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms 3 to 6 months after myocardial infarction.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined whether psychological variables were associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms 3 to 6 months after myocardial infarction.


METHODS
The sample included 52 patients with myocardial infarction. A structured interview was used to obtain information about PTSD symptoms, quality of life, and ratings of perceived control, danger, and predictability, as well as information about stressful events that occurred during hospitalization.


RESULTS
Four patients (7.7%) met criteria for the diagnosis of PTSD. Elevated PTSD scores were associated with poorer quality of life (r = -0.32 to -0.79). Lower perceived control was associated with higher PTSD symptom scores (r = -0.30 to -0.52). Finally, PTSD scores were significantly correlated with the number of times patients were readmitted to the hospital (r = 0.35-0.57).


CONCLUSIONS
Approximately 8% of patients experienced PTSD 3 to 6 months following MI. Increasing levels of PTSD symptoms were correlated with poorer quality of life. Perceived lack of control during the MI and multiple hospitalizations may be related to the severity of PTSD symptoms.
Doerfler
Leonard A
LA
Department of Psychology, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609, USA. doerfler@assumption.edu
Paraskos
John A
JA
Piniarski
Lori
L
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology*; D010465:Perception; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000503:physiopathology*