Anxiety levels in patients admitted to the emergency department with myocardial infarction or COVID-19 pneumonia

Abstract

The COVID-19 related high morbidity and mortality have led to a common fear and anxiety. This study aimed to determine the state/trait and death anxiety levels of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and COVID-19 pneumonia. The study was conducted at the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in Central Anatolia of Turkey. 120 patients with myocardial infarction, 120 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, and 120 healthy volunteers as a control group were included in the study. The participants filled out the questionnaire that included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Thorson–Powell’s Revised Death Anxiety Scale (RDAS). All scores of patient groups were significantly higher than the control group. There was no significant difference in terms of STAI-S, STAI-T, and RDAS scores between COVID-19 pneumonia and MI groups. The anxiety risk increased 2.14-fold for STAI-T and 1.97-fold for STAI-S in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia compared to the control group. In this study, the state/trait and death anxiety levels of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were as high as patients with myocardial infarction.COVID-19 pneumonia-related anxiety was associated with chronic diseases and smoking. Knowing the level of anxiety in these patients is important to provide better health services in the emergency departments.