CONGRESS ABSTRACT

Purpose: Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) have a high risk of experiencing a recurrent event, the incidence of which may increase if the subjects affected by anxiety (AN) and depression (DE). Despite the increased risk reported by these psychological aspects in guidelines and scientific articles, their importance in the rehabilitation process remains underestimated, giving priority to physical treatment. Methods: to investigate the incidence of AN and DE in ACS we did first a literature review using the Google search engine, PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane library databases. Analyzing the articles that best provided a correct view of the phenomenon we searched evaluation methods used to identify AN and DE. We then chose and applied the best fitted scale for the evaluation of the aforementioned disease. Results: The research reported a significantly increased incidence of AN and DE in patients affected by SCA ranging between 15% and 32% for DE and between 15% and 39% for AN while the population not affected by SCA showed AN and DE around 4%. In our research AN and DE were demonstrated to influence on the clinical course of the patient with SCA, reporting variations in quality of life and mortality. Due to absence of guidelines or expert opinions we evaluated the different scales (self-assessment scales or structured or semi-structured interviews) reported. The most used ones were the Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), followed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Similarly there is a wide variability in the timing of the evaluation that justifies part of the vriability of the results. We then chose and applied the best fitting scale (HADS) administered at the time of discharge with a cutoff of 16 to provide a more structured nurse and psychologist—guided intervention. Conclusion:  Incidence of AN and DE in SCA patients in significantly higher than in general population. Due to lack of guideline we did a literature review, chose and applied the best fitted evaluation scale in order to provide a more structured nurse and psychologist—guided intervention.