Prevalence and types of anxiety disorders among patients with cardiac conditions and elevated HADS-A scores: findings from the initial screening phase of the Heart and Mind trial in Denmark.

To identify whether patients with arrhythmia, heart failure or ischaemic heart disease presenting with anxiety symptoms measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) have identifiable anxiety according to the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (SCID) and, if so, which type of anxiety disorder based on the SCID.

Initial screening data from the Heart and Mind randomised clinical trial.

Patients with arrhythmia, heart failure or ischaemic heart disease were screened using HADS, and patients with a HADS-anxiety (HADS-A) score≥8 were invited to participate. Participants were interviewed by trained cardiac nurses using the SCID to determine whether they met the criteria for anxiety and, if so, the type of anxiety disorder.

Of the 7816 patients who completed the HADS questionnaire, 1803 (23%) had a HADS-A score≥8. Among these, 398 (22%) agreed to the SCID interview, and 336 (84%) met the diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder. The mean age was 61 years, with 40% being female. The mean HADS-A score was 11.3 (SD=2.7). The most common types of anxiety were generalised anxiety disorder (61%), panic disorder (23%) and specific phobia (8%).

The majority of individuals identified by the instrument also met the diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder. Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder were the most prevalent subtypes. Anxiety was common across the cardiac population, underscoring the need for routine assessment and targeted intervention in clinical practice.

NCT04582734.
Cardiovascular diseases
Mental Health
Access
Care/Management
Advocacy

Authors

Berg Berg, Rasmussen Rasmussen, Thorup Thorup, Rasmussen Rasmussen, Christensen Christensen, Hammer Hammer, Jorgensen Jorgensen, Svendsen Svendsen, Risom Risom, Juul Juul, Schjødt Schjødt
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