Quality of life and psychological symptoms in patients with pulmonary hypertension

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has a delay in diagnosis that makes time since diagnosis of interest in this population. Objectives: To assess psychological conditions, perceived stress, QOL, and interpersonal support and to explore whether these factors may correlate with time since diagnosis in patients with PAH. Methods: Participants at an academic medical center (n = 108) completed psychological questionnaires (Cambridge Pulmonary Hypertension Outcome Review, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Perceived Stress Scale-10, and Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-Short Form). Results: Prevalence of psychiatric disorder, major depression, and other depressive disorder were 29.6%, 15.7%, and 9.3%, respectively. Participants reported adequate social support, high perceived stress, and average quality of life. Time since diagnosis was positively associated with greater perceived social support (rho = 0.174, p = .075) and greater perceived stress (rho = 0.191, p = .048), but no other psychological factor. Conclusions: Routine psychological assessment and timely referral for mental health services are suggested. Social support may buffer patients from stress. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.