Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Chronic Lower Limb Ischaemia

The aim of the foregoing paper was to evaluate the level of anxiety and depression in patients with chronic lower limb ischaemia. The research material was patients of the Clinic of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery at the University Clinical Centre in Gda?sk that were qualified for surgical treatment and Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty. A diagnostic poll method was used for the purpose of this paper. Sociodemographic and clinical data was collected with the use of an original survey questionnaire. Evaluation of the presence of negative emotions such as anxiety and depression was conducted with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). First examination was performed in the first day of hospitalization, the next in the third and sixth month from the date of the first examination. The average value of anxiety level in particular measurements reached similar levels and placed the examined groups at the borderline. The average value of depression placed the group of patients treated surgically on the verge of depression. In terms of depression, patients qualified for surgical treatment were given higher points. Conclusions: Patients undergoing Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty showed borderline symptoms of anxiety, whereas patients treated surgically showed borderline symptoms of anxiety and depression during a six-month observation. Patients qualified for surgical treatment showed higher level of depression.