Differences In Psychological Factors Between Patients With Left Heart Failure And Right Heart Failure Associated With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: In left heart failure patients (LHF), anxiety and depression are common comorbidities. However, there are few studies that evaluate psychological disorders in patients with right heart failure associated with respiratory disease, especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (RHF+COPD), although its pathophysiology affects the brain. Aim: To investigate the differences in levels of anxiety and depression symptoms between LHF and RHF+COPD patients. Method: A cross-sectional study was carry out that included 124 LHF patients (GI) and 115 RHF +COPD patients (GII). Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to determine the level of anxiety and depression symptoms. Student t-test and Chi-square test, in SPSS v25, were performed. Results: Characteristics by group were GI: 63.37±17.75 years, 67% men; GII: 67.33±14.0 years, 63% women. Statistically significant differences (p <0.001) were found between the groups (GI vs GII) in general scores of anxiety (3.05±3.39 vs 4.87±4.23) and depression (3.88±4.17 vs 5.64±3.91). According to the classification of HADS, significant differences (p>0.05) were found between both groups in moderate (7.3% vs. 13.9%) and severe anxiety levels (4.8% vs 13%). There were no statistically significant differences in the classification of depressive symptoms, however, the GII presented greater moderate (10.5% vs. 17.4%) and severe (8.9% vs. 12.2%) depressive symptoms. Conclusions: RHF patients showed higher levels of anxiety and depression than LHF patients. More research is needed to meet this population and establish comprehensive treatment plans in accordance to their needs.