The rationale for depression screening in patients with coronary heart disease. On behalf of the Psychosocial Risk Factors Expert Working Group of the National Heart Foundation of Australia

Guanxin Danshen Dripping Pills Improve Quality of Life and Cardiovascular Prognoses of CHD Patients after PCI with Anxiety or Depression (GLAD Study): A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of Guanxin Danshen Dripping Pills (GXDS) in the treatment of depression or anxiety in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

From September 2017 to June 2019, 200 CHD patients after PCI with depression and anxiety were included and randomly divided into GXDS (100 cases) and placebo control groups (100 cases) by block randomization and a random number table. Patients in the GXDS and control groups were given GXDS and placebo, respectively, 0.4 g each time, 3 times daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were scores of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Scale (GAD-7) and the Seattle Angina Pectoris Scale (SAQ). The secondary outcomes included 12 Health Survey Summary Form (SF-12) scores and the first onset time and incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Other indices including blood pressure, blood lipids, microcirculation and inflammatory-related indices, etc. were monitored at baseline, week 4, and week 12.

RESULTS

In the full analysis set (200 cases), after treatment, the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores in the GXDS group were considerably lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the baseline, the total PHQ-9 scores of the experimental and control groups decreased by 3.97 and 1.18, respectively. The corrected mean difference between the two groups was -2.78 (95% CI: -3.47, -2.10; P<0.001). The total GAD-7 score in the GXDS group decreased by 3.48% compared with the baseline level, while that of the placebo group decreased by 1.13%. The corrected mean difference between the two groups was -2.35 (95% CI: -2.95, -1.76; P<0.001). The degree of improvement in SAQ score, SF-12 score, endothelin and high-sensitive C-reactive protein levels in the GXDS group were substantially superior than those in the placebo group, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Similar results were obtained in the per protocol population analysis of 177 patients. Three cases of MACES were reported in this study (1 in the GXDS group and 2 in the placebo group), and no serious adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

GXDS can significantly alleviate depression and anxiety, relieve symptoms of angina, and improve quality of life in patients with CHD after PCI. (Registration No. ChiCTR1800014291).

The prevalence and impact of depression and anxiety in cardiac rehabilitation: A longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND

Co-morbid depression and anxiety symptoms are frequently under-recognised and under-treated in heart disease and this negatively impacts self-management.

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, correlates and predictors of depression and anxiety in cardiac rehabilitation programmes, the impact of cardiac rehabilitation on moderate depression, anxiety and stress symptoms, and the relationship between moderate depression, anxiety and stress symptoms and cardiac rehabilitation adherence.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of 5908 patients entering cardiac rehabilitation programmes from 2006-2017, across two Sydney metropolitan teaching hospitals. Variables included demographics, diagnoses, cardiovascular risk factors, medication use, participation rates, health status (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36) and psychological health (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales) subscale scores.

RESULTS

Moderate depression, anxiety or stress symptoms were prevalent in 18%, 28% and 13% of adults entering cardiac rehabilitation programmes, respectively. Adults with moderate depression (24% vs 13%), anxiety (32% vs 23%) or stress (18% vs 10%) symptoms were significantly less likely to adhere to cardiac rehabilitation compared with those with normal-mild symptoms (p < 0.001). Anxiety (odds ratio 4.395, 95% confidence interval 3.363-5.744, p < 0.001) and stress (odds ratio 4.527, 95% confidence interval 3.315-6.181, p < 0.001) were the strongest predictors of depression. Depression (odds ratio 3.167, 95% confidence interval 2.411-4.161) and stress (odds ratio 5.577, 95% confidence interval 4.006-7.765, p < 0.001) increased the risk of anxiety on entry by more than three times, above socio-demographic factors, cardiovascular risk factors, diagnoses and quality of life.

CONCLUSION

Monitoring depression and anxiety symptoms on entry and during cardiac rehabilitation can assist to improve adherence and may identify the need for additional psychological health support. Exploring the relevance and use of adjunct psychological support strategies within cardiac rehabilitation programmes is warranted.

[Treatment of depression in coronary heart disease]

Depression and coronary heart disease (CHD) are leading causes of disability and show a high comorbidity. Furthermore, depression is an independent risk factor for an unfavorable course and increased mortality in patients with CHD. In contrast, successful treatment of depression can reduce the risk of cardiac events. Currently, there are several treatment options for the management of depression in CHD, including self-management strategies, psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and collaborative care models. This article provides an overview of the epidemiology of depression in CHD, the mechanisms of association and the current state of evidence with respect to the different treatment options.