Objectives

The purpose of this study was to define how the relation between depression and self-reported physical health in patients with coronary disease is modified by other patient-centered factors.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study of 111 patients (members of a health maintenance organization) with angiographically documented coronary disease, examining factors (physical symptoms, psychological states and traits, and spousal support) modifying the relation between depression and patient-reported physical health 5 years later using multiple hierarchical regression models.

Results

Five regression models (all including demographic and disease severity covariates) were constructed to predict physical health from depression only (R2 = 0.22); depression plus angina and fatigue (R2 = 0.53); depression plus positive affect and novelty seeking and their interaction (R2 = 0.48); depression plus spousal support (R2 = 0.27); and depression, angina, fatigue, positive affect, and novelty seeking (overall model) (R2 = 0.65). Depression remained significant in each model, but the proportion of variance it predicted was diminished in the presence of the other variables (bivariate r = 0.39, partial r = 0.37-0.13).

Conclusions

The effect of depression on self-reported physical health is significantly mediated by physical symptoms (angina and fatigue), personality states and traits (positive affect and novelty seeking), and spousal support. Positive affect and novelty seeking had more marked effects on physical health in the presence of more depression. Thus, a broad range of factors beyond the severity of coronary disease itself affect the perceived physical health of patients with coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE:This investigation comprehensively assessed the technology use, preferences, and capacity of diverse injured trauma survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. METHOD:A total of 121 patients participating in a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of stepped collaborative care targeting PTSD symptoms were administered baseline one-, three-, and six-month interviews that assessed technology use. Longitudinal data about the instability of patient cell phone ownership and phone numbers were collected from follow-up interviews. PTSD symptoms were also assessed over the course of the six months after injury. Regression analyses explored the associations between cell phone instability and PTSD symptoms. RESULTS:At baseline, 71.9% (n = 87) of patients reported current cell phone ownership, and over half (58.2%, n = 46) of these patients possessed basic cell phones. Only 19.0% (n = 23) of patients had no change in cell phone number or physical phone over the course of the six months postinjury. In regression models that adjusted for relevant clinical and demographic characteristics, cell phone instability was associated with higher six-month postinjury PTSD symptom levels (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:Diverse injured patients at risk for the development of PTSD have unique technology use patterns, including high rates of cell phone instability. These observations should be strongly considered when developing technology-supported interventions for injured patients with PTSD.