Depression in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease and Relationships With Social Support and Coping

Abstract

Background: The objective of the study was to asses the presence of depressive symptoms at patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and to identify potential psychosocial factors (such as social support and coping mechanisms) that may help these patients to deal with the disease. Methods: The design of the study was transversal and included 37 patients with PAD with critical ischemia (32 men, 5 women, mean age= 62,41). They were administered Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire and COPE inventory. Findings: Depressive symptoms were found at 21,6 % of the patients. There were low scores of perceived social support at 32,4% of the patients. Depression correlated (p<.001) positively with mental disengagement (r=.791), denial (r=.672), behavioral disengagement (r=.760), restraint (r=.0753) and negatively with social support (r= -.879) and positive reinterpretation (r=-.844), active coping (r=-.776), use of emotional support (r=-.624). Discussion: Recognition and evaluation for depression in patients with PAD followed by identifying psychosocial interventions may be useful in improving outcomes of these patients.