PROTECTIVE FACTORS AGAINST DEPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE WITH CRITICAL LIMB ISCHEMIA

• Main Authors: Liliana Veronica Diaconescu, Ion Diaconescu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amaltea Medical Publishing House 2017-12-01
• Series: Romanian Medical Journal
• Subjects: peripheral arterial disease; critical limb ischemia; depression; social support; coping
• Online Access: https://rmj.com.ro/articles/2017.4/RMJ_2017_4_Art-07.pdf

Introduction. The aim of the study was to assess the extent to which psychosocial factors (social support and coping strategies) may have a protective role against depression in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Methods. The design of the study was transversal and included 37 patients with PAD with critical ischemia (32 men, 5 women, mean age = 62.41). They were administered Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire and COPE inventory. Results. Depressive symptoms were found at 28.6% of the patients. There were low scores of perceived social support at 32.4% of the patients. Depression correlated (p<.001) positively with mental disengagement (r=.791), denial (r=.672), behavioral disengagement (r=.760), restraint (r=.075) and negatively with social support (r= -.879) and positive reinterpretation (r=-.844), active coping (r=-.776), use of emotional support (r=-.624). Discussion. PAD patients experience depression. Is highlighted the buffer role of social support and of active coping strategies in facing a chronic disease. Conclusions. Recognition and evaluation for depression in patients with PAD followed by identifying psychosocial interventions may be useful in improving outcomes of these patients.