Quality of life and psychological symptoms in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

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.