Comparison of anxiety between smokers and nonsmokers with acute myocardial infarction.
BACKGROUND
Increased anxiety correlates with increased complications after acute myocardial infarction. Anxiety levels and use of anxiolytic agents have not been compared between smokers and nonsmokers hospitalized because of acute myocardial infarction.


OBJECTIVE
To compare anxiety level, sociodemographic factors, and clinical variables between smokers and nonsmokers hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction and to examine predictors of use of beta-blockers and anxiolytic agents among smokers and nonsmokers.


METHODS
Secondary data analysis of a prospective multisite study on anxiety in 181 smokers and 351 nonsmokers with acute myocardial infarction. Anxiety was measured by using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the anxiety subscale of the Basic Symptom Inventory within 72 hours of admission.


RESULTS
Smokers reported higher anxiety levels than nonsmokers reported on both anxiety scales. Female smokers reported the highest anxiety and peak pain levels of all, yet women were the least likely to receive anxiolytic agents. Smoking status was not a predictor for anxiety level when sex, peak pain, use of beta-blockers in the hospital, and age were controlled for. However, smokers were twice as likely as nonsmokers to receive an anxiolytic agent and 60% more likely to receive a beta-blocker in the emergency department, and smokers were 80% more likely than nonsmokers to receive an anxiolytic agent during hospitalization when these variables were controlled.


CONCLUSIONS
Older female smokers are at risk for complications because they are older than their male counterparts and less likely to receive beta-blockers and antianxiety medications in the emergency department.
Sheahan
Sharon L
SL
The University of Kentucky College of Nursing, Lexington, KY 40536-0232, USA. sharon@uky.edu
Rayens
Mary K
MK
An
Kyungeh
K
Riegel
Barbara
B
McKinley
Sharon
S
Doering
Lynn
L
Garvin
Bonnie J
BJ
Moser
Debra K
DK
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents