Classes of depression, anxiety, and functioning in acute coronary syndrome patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To describe change in subgroups characterized by patterns of depression, anxiety, and functional impairment; examine treatment effects on subgroup membership; examine effects of sex and age on subgroup membership. METHODS: Latent class models were used to meet the first 2 objectives using 79 patients with depression/anxiety. Generalized estimating equations were used to meet the third objective. RESULTS: Three subgroups characterized by different combinations of psychiatric disorders and functioning were identified. Patients who received treatment were more likely to transition to a less impaired subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Unique information about holistic treatment effects can be gained when multiple outcomes are considered simultaneously.