Levels of pain, anxiety, and depression in patients with peripheral arterial disease

Introduction
Pain, anxiety and depression are factors that influence the treatment process and the quality of life of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Anxiety-depressive disorders can be a consequence of chronic pain. Aim: Assessment of the intensity of pain, anxiety, and depression in patients with PAD.

Material and methods
The study was conducted among 62 patients with PAD treated at the Department of Cardiac Surgery and Vascular Surgery of the University Clinical Centre in Gdańsk. The study used the method of diagnostic survey with the use of standardized research tools: The McGill Pain Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Modified (HADS-M), and visual analogue scale (VAS). A proprietary questionnaire was developed to collect socio-demographic data.

Results
The conducted research has shown that the level of depression in the respondents increases with increasing pain (rHO = 0.30, p < 0.05). Significant differences in pain intensity were found depending on the stage of the disease (F (3.58) = 2.78, p < 0.05). In subjects with higher levels of pain and depression, weak and strong opioids were the most commonly used treatment. With increasing anxiety (rHO = 0.49, p < 0.001) and depression (rHO = 0.35, p < 0.05), the level of irritation increased among the subjects.

Conclusions
In the studied group of patients, the level of pain increased with the advancement of PAD, and the level of depression in the respondents increased with the increase in pain intensity. In the care of patients, measures should be taken to assess the level of pain, anxiety, and depression because this allows for the identification of patients with disorders and the planning of therapeutic, preventive, and educational activities.