Perceived Stress Level in Turkish Patients With Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction and its Association With Severity of Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND

Stress is one of the psychosocial risk factors predicted to reduce the incidence of coronary artery disease when in good control.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between perceived stress level and the severity of coronary artery disease in patients admitted with a diagnosis of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

METHODS

The descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 240 patients with a diagnosis of NSTEMI. The data were collected using a demographic form, plus the Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14), SYNergy between PCI with TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) Score, and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients included in the study was 60.75 ± 11.75 years, and 72.5% of the participants were male. The mean PSS-14, GRACE, and SYNTAX scores of the patients included in the study were 31.70 ± 6.71, 101.27 ± 24.48, and 11.90 ± 9.21, respectively. A moderately significant positive correlation was observed between the SYNTAX score and both the PSS-14 score (r = 0.550; P < .001) and the GRACE score (r = 0.555; P < .001). Additionally, a weak positive correlation was identified between the PSS-14 score and the GRACE score (r = 0.261; P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the GRACE score, age, presence of diabetes mellitus, and PSS-14 score were significant predictors of moderate to high SYNTAX scores ( P < .001; P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Perceived stress levels were found to be high among patients with NSTEMI, and elevated stress may contribute to the severity of coronary artery disease. Based on these findings, patients of advanced age, those with chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus, and individuals experiencing high levels of stress should be closely monitored for the development and progression of coronary artery disease.