Correlations between stress, anxiety and depression and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics among outpatients with heart failure

Abstract

Aim To describe and investigate correlations among anxiety, stress and depression and identify their relationship with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with heart failure. Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were collected, along with levels of anxiety, stress and depression from 309 outpatients. Results: The mean levels of stress, anxiety and depression were correlated but low. Time since diagnosis, the disease's functional class, family income, and smoking influenced stress. Functional class and Chagas disease influenced anxiety and depression. Being unemployed and smoking influenced anxiety, while being a homeowner influenced depression. Conclusion: These findings should be considered when planning nursing interventions.