The relationship between psychological and biological factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether psychological risk factors for coronary heart disease (such as depression, anxiety or Type D behaviour pattern) are linked in patients with ACS with determinants such as heart rate variability, markers of inflammation and elevated levels of cholesterol. Method: The study involved 121 patients (41 women and 80 men) hospitalized with ACS in the Department of Cardiology and Resuscitation of the Cardiological Hospital in Zabrze, Poland. Psychological studies were performed 2-3 days after a coronary event. The HAD scale, examining levels of anxiety and depression, the DS14 questionnaire for the Type D personality and the MacNew Questionnaire to assess the quality of life of patients were used. We studied the correlation between the results of questionnaires and biological indicators obtained from medical records of patients. Results: The DS14 Questionnaire correlated positively with the overall cholesterol (r = .286, p <0.005); HDL (r = .246, p <0.05) and triglyceride levels (r = .222; p <0.05). Quality of life (assessed with MacNew Questionnaire ) correlated negatively with the level of Aspat (r = -.257, p <0.05). There was no correlation between psychological factors measured by questionnaires and indices of myocardial CK-MB and Troponin. Conclusions: Further research in this area may allow a more precise assessment of physiological components of psychological factors in acute coronary syndromes.