Quality of life and psychological symptoms in patients with pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has a delay in diagnosis that makes time since diagnosis of interest in this population.

Objectives: To assess psychological conditions, perceived stress, QOL, and interpersonal support and to explore whether these factors may correlate with time since diagnosis in patients with PAH.

Methods: Participants at an academic medical center (n = 108) completed psychological questionnaires (Cambridge Pulmonary Hypertension Outcome Review, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Perceived Stress Scale-10, and Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-Short Form).

Results: Prevalence of psychiatric disorder, major depression, and "other depressive disorder" were 29.6%, 15.7%, and 9.3%, respectively. Participants reported adequate social support, high perceived stress, and average quality of life. Time since diagnosis was positively associated with greater perceived social support (ρ = 0.174, p = .075) and greater perceived stress (ρ = 0.191, p = .048), but no other psychological factor.

Conclusions: Routine psychological assessment and timely referral for mental health services are suggested. Social support may buffer patients from stress.

Keywords: CAMPHOR; Interpersonal Support-Short Form; PHQ-9; Perceived Stress Scale; Psychological distress; Pulmonary arterial hypertension; Quality of Life; Symptom Management Model.