Prevalence and risk factors of depression and anxiety symptoms in intensive care unit patients with cardiovascular disease: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract Aims To investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to explore which elements are risk factors for the development of anxiety and depression symptoms. Design A cross‐sectional study. Methods A total of 1028 ICU patients with CVD were enrolled in this cross‐sectional study. Logistic regression was used to assess risk factors and associations between anxiety and depression symptoms, and mediation analysis was used to explore the effect of risk factors on the association between anxiety and depression symptoms. Reporting of the study followed the STROBE checklist. Results The results showed that among ICU patients with CVD, 38.1% had anxiety symptoms, 28.7% had depression symptoms and 19.3% had both anxiety and depression symptoms, and there was a significant association between anxiety and depression symptoms. We also identified female gender, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and cardiac function class IV as independent risk factors for anxiety and depression symptoms. Importantly, these factors also mediated the association between anxiety and depression symptoms, emphasising their role in the psychological well‐being of this patient group. Conclusion ICU patients with CVD were prone to anxiety and depression symptoms. Female gender, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and cardiac function class IV were identified as independent risk factors that also served as mediators in the relationship between anxiety and depression symptoms. Especially, cardiac function class IV emerged as a critical factor in this association. Relevance to Clinical Practice It is imperative for critical care professionals to recognize the elevated risk of depression and anxiety among ICU patients with severe CVD, especially those with cardiac function class IV, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and females. Proactive and supportive measures are essential for this vulnerable group during their ICU stay to safeguard their mental health and prevent negative outcomes. Patient or Public Contribution No Patient or Public Contribution.