Group support to improve psychosocial well-being and primary-care demands among women with cardiac syndrome X.
BACKGROUND
Women with angina pectoris, a positive exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) for myocardial ischemia and angiographically smooth coronary arteries (cardiac syndrome X), are often characterized by unresolved symptomatology and a poor quality of life. Psychological morbidity and quality of life appear to be related to social support and social isolation. An investigation of group support as an aid to treatment for cardiac syndrome X was therefore undertaken.


METHODS
Forty-nine women with cardiac syndrome X (mean ± standard deviation 61.8 ± 8 years) were randomized to 12 monthly support group meetings or usual care control. The Health Anxiety Questionnaire (HAQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), SF-36, York Angina Beliefs scale, ENRICHD Social Support Instrument (ESSI) and a demographic information scale, along with hospital admissions, general practitioner (GP) or cardiologist appointments were measured at baseline, 6 months and 12 months.


RESULTS
Support group participants maintained higher levels of social support than controls (ESSI score, 17.18 ± 5.35 vs. 14.45 ± 6.98, p = 0.008). Near significant improvements in health beliefs total score (p = 0.068) and threat perception (p = 0.062) were found among the support group compared to the control; 29% of support patients had made one or more GP visits over the duration of the study, compared with 54% of the control group (p = 0.06).


CONCLUSIONS
Support group participation maintains social support and may reduce health-care demands and misconceived health beliefs among patients with cardiac syndrome X.
Asbury
E A
EA
Cardiovascular Sciences, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Dovehouse Street, London, UK.
Webb
C M
CM
Collins
P
P
D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D017566:Microvascular Angina / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support