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Emotional distress among males with "syndrome X"

M W Ketterer1, J Brymer, K Rhoads

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Henry Ford Health Sciences Center, Case Western Reserve University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.

Journal of Behavioral Medicine
|October 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Syndrome X patients exhibit higher emotional distress, including depression and anxiety, compared to those with positive angiograms and healthy controls. This distress is evident even when traditional risk factors are similar to patients with positive angiograms.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychosomatic Medicine
  • Behavioral Cardiology

Background:

  • Coronary artery disease risk factors are well-established.
  • The role of emotional distress in cardiovascular health is increasingly recognized.
  • Syndrome X, characterized by angina-like chest pain without obstructive coronary artery disease, presents a unique clinical challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare traditional cardiovascular risk factors and emotional distress indices in males with Syndrome X, positive angiograms, and healthy controls.
  • To investigate the psychological profile of Syndrome X patients.
  • To determine if Syndrome X patients exhibit greater emotional distress than other groups.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study comparing three groups of males: Syndrome X (N=53), positive angiogram (N=122), and healthy controls (N=56).
  • Assessment of traditional risk factors.
  • Utilized the Ketterer Stress Symptom Frequency Checklist (KSSFC) for depression and anxiety.
  • Administered the Framingham Type A Scale.
  • Inquired about unprovoked nocturnal awakenings.

Main Results:

  • Syndrome X patients reported higher depression on KSSFC than positive angiogram patients.
  • Syndrome X patients were perceived by significant others as more depressed and anxious on KSSFC compared to healthy controls.
  • Syndrome X patients scored higher on the Framingham Type A Scale and reported more unprovoked nocturnal awakenings than healthy controls.
  • Syndrome X patients had similar traditional risk factor profiles to positive angiogram patients but showed greater distress than healthy controls.

Conclusions:

  • Syndrome X patients exhibit significantly higher levels of emotional distress, including depression and anxiety, compared to healthy controls.
  • Emotional distress may be a key differentiator for Syndrome X patients, even when traditional risk factors are comparable to those with obstructive coronary artery disease.
  • Addressing psychological factors is crucial in the comprehensive management of Syndrome X.

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