Abstract
BackgroundPsychological distress is an undifferentiated combination of symptoms that may be related to the occurrence of angina pectoris (AP). However, few studies have investigated the relationship between psychological distress and AP, particularly in Asian populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between psychological distress and AP in Taiwanese adults.MethodsWe adopted a cross-sectional design to explore the data of the 2005–2008 Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan. In total, 2080 subjects (aged ≥ 19 years) responded to questionnaire interviews and underwent physical examinations. Each of the five dimensions of psychological distress (sleep disturbance, anxiety, hostility, depression, and feelings of inferiority) were scored (from 0–20) according to the Five-Item Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-5). A score ≥ 6 points indicated psychological distress. AP was evaluated using a modified Rose questionnaire.FindingsIn total, 102 subjects (3.6%) had AP, and 231 subjects (8.8%) had symptoms of psychological distress. After adjusting for the basic data, metabolism, and lifestyle covariates, the BSRS-5 total score was associated with AP (odds ratio [OR] = 1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13–1.26, p < 0.001). Subjects with psychological distress had a higher risk of AP (OR = 2.97, 95% CI = 1.76–4.99, p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe presence of AP is associated with psychological distress. Health care providers should therefore be aware of the impact of psychological distress on AP. Our study findings can serve as a reference for AP assessments. Large scale longitudinal studies are needed to confirm a causal relationship between psychological distress and AP.
Highlights
Psychological distress involves changes in emotional state, discomfort, or harm experienced because of an individual’s inability to effectively respond to, or control, life pressures or unmet demands
The presence of angina pectoris (AP) is associated with psychological distress
Health care providers should be aware of the impact of psychological distress on AP
Summary
Psychological distress involves changes in emotional state, discomfort, or harm experienced because of an individual’s inability to effectively respond to, or control, life pressures or unmet demands. Psychological distress generally manifests as anxiety, depression, hostility, insomnia, or anger, which varies depending on personal traits and culture. These negative characteristics usually overlap, leading to the occurrence of symptom clusters [1,2]. Psychological distress through biological and behavioral pathways affects the incidence, progression, and mortality rates of many chronic illnesses, especially cardiovascular conditions [3,4], including exacerbation of the occurrence and frequency of angina pectoris (AP) symptoms [5,6,7]. Few studies have investigated the relationship between psychological distress and AP, in Asian populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between psychological distress and AP in Taiwanese adults
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