Correlations of cardiac function and SCL-90R in heart transplantation candidates

Measurements of cardiac function and Symptom Checklist-90R (SCL-90R) data were retrospectively analyzed in two independent groups of cardiac transplant candidates in an effort to identify organic correlates of depressive syndromes. In the first study, no significant inverse correlations were found between depression measures and cardiac index as had been predicted. However, elevated right atrial pressure was associated with increased scores of the SCL-90R depression subscale (DEP) and global symptom index (GSI). A significant positive correlation was also found between the phobia subscale and cardiac index. In a second sample, again, cardiac index did not correlate inversely with DEP or GSI. The phobia-cardiac index correlation was replicated but the right atrial pressure correlations were not. Combining both groups, there were significant correlations between six SCL-90R subscales (including DEP and GSI) and cardiac index. All were positive correlations, refuting the initial hypothesis and suggesting patients with the best cardiac function reported the worst psychological distress and that patients with the worst cardiac function reported the least psychological distress. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed.