[COPING WITH DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AMONG HEART FAILURE PATIENTS]

Research shows that high levels of depression and anxiety have a negative effect on the quality of life of people with heart failure. Family and social support are an important source for coping with the emotional distress derived from an illness. It is important to reach a deeper understanding about the relationship between family and social support and levels of depression and anxiety among heart failure patients.

To examine the associations between function, social support, depression and anxiety among heart failure patients.

A total of 50 heart failure patients from the hospital day unit of the Cardiovascular Department in Rambam Healthcare Center answered a structured questionnaire that included measures of depression and anxiety and levels of difficulty in function, family and social support.

A total of 15% (n=7) of the participants reported a high level of anxiety and 33% (n=16) reported a high level of depression. The average score for difficulty in functioning was high on a scale of 1-12 (mean=7.16; SD=2.86). The average score on family support was also high on a scale of 1-7 (Mean=6.21;SD=1.14) but social support was very low (mean=3.20; SD=2.06). Positive associations were found between difficulty in functioning, depression (r=.54) and anxiety (r=.39) and a negative association was found between social and family support and anxiety (r=-.30).

Heart failure patients and their families might experience functional and emotional burdens when trying to cope with their illness. Early and inclusive intervention is important and should include combined treatment of both physicians and social workers cooperating in order to identify patients in need and treat the different aspects of the illness in a sensitive and culturally adapted manner.