Poor illness perception of symptons in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a need to improve

• Type: Summary of Presentation in an International Conference
• Date: 2012

Authors

Ribeiro V (Author) Other; Melão F (Author) Other; Machado Leite S (Author) Other; Duarte Rodrigues J (Author) Other; Mota Garcia R (Author) Other; Dias P (Author) Other; Maciel MJ (Author) FMUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: European Heart Journal

Pages: 297-298

ESC Congress 2012

Munich, 25 a 29 de Agosto de 2012

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

Other information

Abstract (EN): Background: The time between onset of symptoms and reperfusion is a critical determinant of prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Cardiac symptom's interpretation may influence time of hospital admission. We decide to explore illness perception and its predictors among patients with acute coronary syndrome. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of all consecutive patients admitted at Cardiology department with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) between January to September 2011. Data was obtained from personal patient registries and telephonic interview asking patients about their perception of the symptoms beginning. The question for all was: “Did you consider the possibility of heart infarction diagnosis when you started chest pain?” Patients without constrictive chest pain and those who had initial symptoms in hospital were excluded. Results: One hundred and eighty six patients (mean age 63.99±12,34 years old) with ACS were included (12.3% with unstable angina, 38.5% with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, 42.8% with no ST-segment elevation and 6.4% with undetermined ECG location). The majority (62.6%) of patients didn't had perception of ACS, until the doctor information. Among those who had perception, 82.6% were men and 58% had previous ischemic coronary disease diagnosis. Patients with arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia had superior illness perception (p=0.04; p=0.013; respectively). Only 27.5% of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction had perception of cardiac disease. No association was found between ACS perception and age, academic degree and residence (rural vs. urban). Among patients with ACS, only 29% decided to seek a hospital within the first thirty minutes of symptoms. Of those, the illness perception was present in 42%. Conclusion: The illness perception of patient with acute coronary syndrome needs to be improved, independently of socio-demographic factors. An educational program for the general population, focusing in the alert signs for ACS may be necessary to improve hospital admission time and treatment in this setting.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

Notes: Ribeiro V, Melão F, Machado Leite S, Duarte Rodrigues J, Mota Garcia R, Dias P, Maciel MJ. Poor illness perception of symptons in patients with acute coronary syndrome – a need to improve. Eur Heart J 2012; 33 (Abstract Suppl): 297-298