Using path analysis to investigate the relationships between depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life among patients with coronary artery disease

Purpose Demographic and clinical indicators usually influence depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to assess the direct and indirect association that existed among the identified variables, psychosocial status, and HRQoL in CAD patients. Methods CAD patients with at least one of the main coronary artery and/or branch stenosis over 50% were eligible for inclusion. HRQoL, depression, and anxiety were tested by questionnaires within 3 days after angiography. Mono-factor and multiple linear regression models were used to examine the independent associations of depression, anxiety, and HRQoL. A path analysis was conducted to examine the association among demographic/clinical indicators, depression, anxiety, and HRQoL. Results The sample consisted of 414 subject, patients with depression accounted for 40.82%, and patients with anxiety accounted for 25.12%. The direct effects of SAS scores on HRQoL (B = -0.26, beta = -0.16), of SDS scores on HRQoL (B = -0.70, beta = -0.47), of gender on HRQoL (B = 4.05, beta = 0.17), and of NYHA classification on HRQoL (B = -3.46, beta = -0.18) were significant (p < 0.001). The indirect effects of gender on HRQoL (B = 2.16, beta = 0.09) and of Gensini scores on HRQoL (B = -0.06, beta = -0.08) were also statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions Depression and anxiety were common CAD patients and played an important role in HRQoL. Gender differences were found in determinants of HRQoL and the state of depression and anxiety directly, and women's anxiety, depression, and quality of life were worse than men's. NYHA classification and Gensini scores also played direct and indirect role in HRQoL, respectively.