RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS AND TREATMENT COMPLIANCE IN CARDIOVASCULAR REHABILITATION

Aim: Psychosocial factors have an impact in cardiovascular disease. It is postulated that psychosocial alterations might reduce treatment compliance among coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, which leads to a worse prognosis of cardiovascular disease. The aim of our study was to analyze the relationship between psychosocial factors and treatment compliance in CAD patients attending cardiovascular rehabilitation programs. Method:  A descriptive (correlational) and cross-sectional study was designed. The sample included 70 adult patients, both males and females, attending the cardiovascular rehabilitation program at Favaloro Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Four psychosocial instruments were administered for the assessment of anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory), depression (Beck II depression inventory), anger (STAXI-II) and functional capacity (Duke Activity Scale). Treatment compliance was defined in terms of attendance to cardiovascular rehabilitation sessions. Results: Bivariate correlations revealed a positive association between the scores for anger control and treatment compliance, as well as a positive relationship between the scores for functional capacity and treatment compliance. Conclusions: Psychosocial alterations correspond to a worse treatment compliance in cardiovascular rehabilitation programs. It is advisable for health care professionals to consider the psychosocial status of CAD patients on admission to rehabilitation programs.