Relationship between psychiatric disorders and physical status during the course of a heart transplantation program: a prospective, longitudinal study.
BACKGROUND
Evidence of a lack of relationship between psychiatric disorders and physical status during a heart transplantation (HT) program would configure mental well-being as an independent endpoint deserving specific interventions.


METHODS
We report a prospective, longitudinal study on patients (n=127) undergoing HT in order to investigate the relationship between psychiatric disorders and physical status.


RESULTS
At pre-HT evaluation, at least one psychiatric disorder according to the DSM-IV diagnoses was present in 27 patients (21%); the prevalence of psychiatric disorders was not related (p > or = 0.150) to physical status (assessed by clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic parameters). At post-HT evaluation 1 year after HT, all clinical-instrumental parameters significantly improved (p < or = 0.016), but not the prevalence of psychiatric disorders, which were diagnosed in 34 patients (p = 0.016 vs pre-HT).


CONCLUSIONS
During the HT program, no significant relationship exists between physical status and prevalence of psychiatric disorders, which increases after the operation. This finding indicates the need for the mandatory provision of adequate psychological support during all of the phases of the HT experience.
Grigioni
Francesco
F
Institute of Cardiology, University of Bologna, Italy. francesco.grigioni@unibo.it
Musuraca
Anna Chiara
AC
Tossani
Eliana
E
Potena
Luciano
L
Coccolo
Fabio
F
Naldi
Monica
M
Fabbri
Francesca
F
Russo
Antonio
A
Carigi
Samuela
S
Magnani
Gaia
G
Zannoli
Romano
R
Sirri
Laura
L
Grandi
Silvana
S
Arpesella
Giorgio
G
Magelli
Carlo
C
Branzi
Angelo
A
D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies