Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey | [b] Department of Cardiology, Turkiye Yuksek Ihtisas Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey | [c] Department of Cardiology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Didem Sezgin Ozcan, Ankara Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Tel.: +90 312 310 3230; Fax: +90 312 311 8054; E-mail: sezgindidem@gmail.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIM:In patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD), we aimed to determine the characteristics and risk factors of co-occurring musculoskeletal pain and examine its effects on functional capacity, psychological status and health-related quality of life. PATIENTS AND METHODS:A total of 100 patients with (n= 50) and without (n= 50) musculoskeletal pain were enrolled. All patients were assessed on sociodemographic and clinical properties. The Duke Activity Status Index (DASI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) were applied as clinical assessment scales. RESULTS:Patients with musculoskeletal pain were mostly female, and had a lower education level and annual income. The pain was mostly nociceptive, intermittent, sharp/stabbing in character, and located in the chest and spine. Having musculoskeletal pain resulted in lower levels on the DASI and all subgroups of the SF-36, and higher levels on the HADS. Female gender, lower education level and severity of emotional distress proved to be independent risk factors for the development of musculoskeletal pain. CONCLUSIONS:In CAD, the co-occurrence of musculoskeletal pain leads to a further decrease in health-related quality of life and functional status, and increased severity of anxiety and depression. This stresses the importance of the detection and optimal treatment of musculoskeletal pain in patients diagnosed with CAD.
Keywords: Coronary artery disease, pain, psychological status, quality of life
