Psychological distress, use of rehabilitation services, and disability status among noninstitutionalized US adults aged 35 years and older, who have cardiovascular conditions, 2007.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether psychological distress is associated with disability status and use of rehabilitation services among adults aged 35 years and older with cardiovascular conditions.


METHODS
Using 2007 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), we assessed the association between serious psychological distress (SPD) and the prevalence of disability and use of outpatient rehabilitation services among cardiovascular disease (CVD) survivors aged 35 years or older. Respondents' SPD status was ascertained by the Kessler 6 questionnaire; their CVD survivor status was based on self-reports of physician-diagnosed coronary heart disease (CHD) or stroke; and their disability status was based on self reports of activity limitation and use of special equipment.


RESULTS
The prevalence of SPD was higher among respondents with a CVD history than those without. Among CVD survivors, those with SPD had worse disability status than those without SPD; the rate of having used any outpatient rehabilitation services following a heart attack or stroke was not significantly different by SPD status.


CONCLUSIONS
Further studies are needed to confirm whether higher rate of disability among CVD survivors with SPD is attributable to conditions that can be corrected or improved by rehabilitation services; whether alleviating psychological distress among CVD survivors may lead to more frequent use of rehabilitation services and thus to a reduction in their rate of disability.
Behavioral Surveillance Branch, Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. afan@cdc.gov
Amy Z
AZ
Fan
Tara W
TW
Strine
Ruth
R
Jiles
Joyce T
JT
Berry
Ali H
AH
Mokdad
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology