Depressive Symptoms Are Associated With Lower Patient Expectations for Recovery Following Cardiac Intensive Care Unit...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Intensive Care Medicine
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Patient expectations influence post-discharge care and recovery after cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) admission.
• Limited research exists on factors affecting recovery expectations in CICU survivors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and recovery expectations in CICU survivors.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of a longitudinal cohort (N=98) of CICU survivors.
• Recovery expectations measured using a 0-100 visual analog scale within 45 days of discharge.
• Multiple linear regression analyzed associations with depressive symptoms, social support, income, and clinical factors.

Main Results:

• Mean age was 62.8 years; 45.9% female, 58.2% White, 36.7% Black.
• Median recovery expectation score was 80 (IQR: 64-95).
• Higher depressive symptoms (β = -1.08, P = .016) and lower income (β = -14.18, P = .014) were linked to lower recovery expectations.

Conclusions:

• Depressive symptoms and lower income significantly predict lower recovery expectations in CICU survivors.
• Clinical characteristics, including illness severity and length of stay, were not associated with recovery expectations.
• Psychosocial and socioeconomic factors are crucial in shaping recovery outlook for CICU survivors.