Welche Erwartungen sagen postoperative Depressivität und Ängstlichkeit bei herzchirurgischen Patienten am stärksten vorher

Background: The treatment success of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is influenced by postoperative depression and anxiety. Objective: To examine if and how patients' preoperative expectations relate to postoperative depression and anxiety. To analyze the predictive value of different expectations on depression and anxiety in patients undergoing CABG surgery. Method: Patients undergoing CABG surgery (n = 124) filled in a questionnaire that mixed different aspects of expectations (Positive Health Expectations Questionnaire, PHES) and one that measured isolated aspects of expectations (Expected Illness Perception Questionnaire, IPQ-E) 1 week before surgery. Depression and anxiety were measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) 1 week before and 1 week after surgery. Results: Preoperative expectations predict postoperative depression (R-2 = 0.32, F = 3.13, p = .02). Expectations measured with the PHES have significant predictive value above sociodemographic and medical status. Postoperative anxiety is also predicted by preoperative expectations (R-2 = 0.27, F = 2.55, p < .05). Among the expectations entered in the hierarchical multiple regression, expected consequences measured with the IPQ-R are the only significant predictor. Conclusion: The results confirm the relevance of preoperative expectations in patients undergoing CABG surgery. Psychological interventions aiming at the reduction of depression should focus more on different aspects of expectations, whereas interventions aiming at the reduction of anxiety should focus more on specific expectations, particularly on expected consequences.