Anxiety and depression as risk factors for mortality after coronary artery bypass surgery

Objective: This retrospective study examined the association between symptoms of depression, anxiety, and mortality risk following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Methods: We assessed 440 CABG surgery patients' scores on the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) and followed up mortality status for a median of 5 years, 10 months. Results: There were 67 (15%) deaths overall during the follow-up period. Adjusted survival analysis showed that preoperative depressive symptoms were not associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality. Survival analysis with preoperative anxiety adjusted for covariates showed a significantly increased mortality risk [hazard ratio (HR)=1.88 (95% CI=1.12-3.17), P=.02]. Conclusion: Preoperative anxiety symptoms were significantly associated with increased mortality risk after adjustment for known mortality risk factors. Future research should further explore the simultaneous role of anxiety and depression on mortality following CABG. Crown Copyright (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.