Depression, anxiety and stress in women following acute coronary syndrome: implications for secondary prevention.
OBJECTIVE
To document incidence of depression, anxiety, and stress in women more than 6 months following an acute coronary syndrome.


METHODS
Participants were identified from a coronary care unit database. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales 21 (DASS 21) was sent to potential participants via postal survey.


METHODS
A metropolitan teaching hospital in Melbourne, Australia.


METHODS
The cohort of women was aged between 55 and 70 years. They had been admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) between 6 and 14 months prior to participating in this study.


METHODS
Scores on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS 21).


RESULTS
Of the 117 posted questionnaires, 39 women with a mean age of 63 (S.D. 4.97) responded to the survey, representing a response rate of 33.3%. Most participants scored within normal levels of depression (66.7%), anxiety (60.5%), and stress (70.3%), however, mild to extremely severe levels of each construct (33.4%, 39.6%, and 29.7%, respectively) were found.


CONCLUSIONS
The reporting of elevated levels of depression, anxiety and stress in a subset of women more than 6 months following an ACS event underscores the importance of ongoing screening for risk factors impacting on psychological well-being and the inclusion of this information in education and counseling strategies in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. Based on these pilot data, consideration of a screening system in the immediate post discharge period for women at risk and an education or support service are recommended.
DiGiacomo
Michelle
M
School of Nursing, University of Western Sydney & Nursing Research Unit, Sydney West Area Health Service, Australia. michelle_digiacomo@wsahs.nsw.gov.au
Davidson
Patricia M
PM
Vanderpluym
Anita
A
Snell
Rose
R
Worrall-Carter
Linda
L
D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology; D017132:Workplace