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Psychosocial aspects of coronary artery disease related to military patients
J L Grenier1, J R Swenson, G M FitzGibbon
1London Psychiatric Hospital, Ontario.
Insights
Military personnel with coronary artery disease (CAD) experience unique psychosocial challenges. Further research is needed to understand their adaptation, including depression, anxiety, and return to work post-diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychosocial Health
- Military Medicine
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) significantly impacts military personnel, leading to morbidity and mortality.
- Existing research on the psychosocial effects of CAD predominantly focuses on civilian populations.
- Understanding military-specific factors is crucial for effective patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and compare the psychosocial impact of CAD in military versus civilian populations.
- To explore differences in depression, anxiety, social support, return to work, and stress.
- To highlight the need for military-specific research in this domain.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted from 1985 to 1995.
- Keywords included "stress," "cardiovascular," "cardiac," "depression," "military," "anxiety," and "psychosocial."
- Included controlled and prospective studies of civilian patients and relevant military studies.
Main Results:
- Military populations exhibit unique characteristics influencing psychosocial outcomes in CAD.
- Observed factors include high illness denial, robust social support systems, a strong work ethic, and military-specific stressors.
- These elements may differentiate the adaptation process compared to civilians.
Conclusions:
- Current knowledge on the psychosocial adaptation of military personnel to CAD is limited.
- Gaps exist in understanding depression, anxiety, social functioning, and return-to-work rates.
- Further investigation into the psychosocial aspects of CAD within military populations is warranted.
Objective:
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of nontraumatic morbidity and mortality in military personnel. Most studies of the psychosocial impact of CAD have dealt with civilian populations. The purpose of this paper is to highlight differences between military and civilian populations with CAD in 4 areas: depression and anxiety, social support, return to work, and stress.
Method:
A computerized literature search from 1985 to 1995 using the search terms "stress," "cardiovascular," "cardiac," "depression," "military," "anxiety" and "psychosocial" was undertaken. Controlled and prospective studies of civilian patients were selected along with relevant studies involving military populations.
Results:
Unique characteristics of the military may be important factors in affecting the psychosocial outcome of military patients with CAD. These characteristics include a high level of denial of illness, strong social supports, a powerful military work ethic, and stressful situations unique to the military.
Conclusions:
Most studies of the psychosocial impact of CAD are based on civilian populations. A review of available studies suggests that little is known about how military patients adapt to CAD, particularly with regard to symptoms of depression and anxiety, social impairment, and rates of return to work. Studies in this area are needed regarding the psychosocial aspects of CAD in military populations.