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Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide. Emotional distress, such as anxiety and depression, are common among MI patients. The aim of this study was to investigate emotional reactions following MI and to explore how MI patients self-manage their emotional distress using the perspective of an explanatory behavioural model of depression and anxiety. Written testimonies from 92 MI patients starting an internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) were analysed using qualitative content analysis with a mixed deductive and inductive approach. Six themes were identified. The first three highlight the emotional reactions post-MI: Hypoarousal reactions and low mood; Hyperarousal reactions; and A changed sense of self and outlook on life. The following three themes describe strategies for managing emotional distress: Avoidance of potentially rewarding situations; Avoidance of heart relevant stimuli triggering anxiety; and Engaging in potentially positive activities and acceptance. The MI experience may trigger emotional reactions, with a particular emphasis on heart-focused anxiety, depression and a shift in the perception of one's identity. Patients tend to manage emotional distress through social withdrawal and experiential avoidance which likely maintains the distress. Applying a behavioural model to the management of emotional distress following MI is suited.

Background: In the aftermath of a myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) or Takotsubo syndrome (TS), patients commonly express high levels of stress and anxiety. Current treatment alternatives rarely address these issues. Methods: The study is a randomised controlled trial, where 90 patients with a discharge diagnosis of MINOCA or TS who also report symptoms of stress or anxiety will be randomised 2-6 weeks after their cardiac event. The treatment consists of 10 weeks of Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and starts immediately after randomisation for the treatment group. The control group receives usual care. Main outcomes are symptoms of anxiety measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, anxiety subscale, and perceived stress measured with the Perceived Stress Scale, 14-item version, 10 weeks after randomisation. Secondary measures include cardiac specific anxiety, symptoms of post-traumatic stress, quality of life, cortisol measured in hair and physiological stress responses (heart rate variability, blood pressure and saliva cortisol) during a stress procedure. Ten weeks after randomisation, the control group will also receive treatment. Long-term followup in the self-report measures mentioned above will be conducted 20 and 50 weeks after randomisation where the total group's development over time is followed, and the groups receiving intervention early versus late compared. Discussion: At present, there are no randomised studies evaluating psychological treatment for patients with MINOCA or TS. There is an urgent need for treatment alternatives aiming at relieving stress and anxiety considering the high mental stress and anxiety levels observed in MINOCA and TS, leading to decreased quality of life. CBT aiming at reducing mental stress has been shown to be effective regarding prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease. The current protocol describes a randomised open-label controlled trial evalua

Background: The U-CARE Heart trial was one of the first randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effect of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy on self-reported symptoms of anxiety or depression for patients with a recent myocardial infarction. While the effects of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores at 14 weeks postbaseline were not significant, in this study, we investigated possible long-term effects of treatment. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy on self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients 12 months after a myocardial infarction and to explore subsequent occurrences of cardiovascular disease events. Methods: Shortly after acute myocardial infarction, 239 patients (33% female, mean age 59.6 years) reporting mild-to-moderate symptoms of anxiety or depression were randomized to 14 weeks of therapist-guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (n=117) or treatment as usual (n=122). Data from national registries were used to explore group differences in clinical outcomes such as cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular-related mortality for a follow-up period of up to 5 years: group differences in HADS total score 1 year post-myocardial infarction, the primary outcome, was analyzed using multiple linear regression. Secondary outcomes, such as HADS anxiety and depression subscales and the Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire total score (CAQ), which measures heart-focused anxiety, were analyzed in the same way. Multiple imputation was used to account for missing data, and a pooled treatment effect was estimated. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for data pertaining to registry outcomes. Results: Both groups reported lower HADS total scores 1 year after myocardial infarction than those at baseline. HADS total scores were not significantly

BACKGROUND: The Heart School is a standard component of cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction in Sweden. The group-based educational intervention aims to improve modifiable risks, in turn reducing subsequent morbidity and mortality. However, an evaluation with respect to mortality is lacking. AIMS: Using linked population registries, we estimated the association of attending Heart School with both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, two and five years after admission for first-time myocardial infarction. METHODS: Patients with first-time myocardial infarction (<75 years) were identified as consecutively registered in the nationwide heart registry, SWEDEHEART (2006-2015), with >99% complete follow-up in the Causes of Death registry for outcome events. Of 192,059 myocardial infarction admissions, 47,907 unique patients with first-time myocardial infarction surviving to the first cardiac rehabilitation visit constituted the study population. The exposure was attending Heart School at the first cardiac rehabilitation visit 6-10 weeks post-myocardial infarction. Data on socioeconomic status was acquired from Statistics Sweden. After multiple imputation, propensity score matching was performed. The association of exposure with mortality was estimated with Cox regression and survival curves. RESULTS: After matching, attending Heart School was associated (hazard ratio (95% confidence interval)) with a markedly lower risk of both all-cause (two-year hazard ratio = 0.53 (0.44-0.64); five-year hazard ratio = 0.62 (0.55-0.69)) and cardiovascular (0.50 (0.38-0.65); 0.57 (0.47-0.69)) mortality. The results were robust in several sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Attending Heart School during cardiac rehabilitation is associated with almost halved all-cause and cardiovascular mortality after first-time myocardial infarction. The result warrants further investigation through adequately powered randomised trials.

BACKGROUND: The involvement of patient research partners (PRPs) in research aims to safeguard the needs of patient groups and produce new interventions that are developed based on patient input. Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA), unlike acute myocardial infarction (MI) with obstructive coronary arteries, is presented with no significant obstructive coronary artery disease. Patients with this diagnosis are a subset of those diagnosed with traditional MI and often need more psychological support, something that is presently not established in the current treatment scheme in Swedish health care or elsewhere, to our knowledge. An internet-delivered intervention might offer patients with MINOCA the opportunity to access a psychological treatment that is tailored to their specific needs after MINOCA and could therefore supplement the existing medical care in an easily accessible format. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to describe the development of a therapist-guided, internet-delivered psychological intervention designed specifically for patients with MINOCA. METHODS: The study used a participatory design that involved 7 PRPs diagnosed with MINOCA who collaborated with a team consisting of researchers, cardiologists, and psychologists. Intervention content was developed iteratively and presented to the PRPs across several prototypes, each continually adjusted and redesigned according to the feedback received. The intervention and experience of it were discussed by PRPs in a final meeting and then presented to a panel of 2 clinical psychologists and a cardiologist for further input. RESULTS: The outcome of the collaboration between PRPs and the research group produced a web-based psychological 9-step program focusing on stress, worry, and valued action. The input from PRPs contributed substantially to the therapy content, homework tasks, interactive activities, multimedia, and design presentation. CONCLUSIONS: Working with PRPs to develop an

BACKGROUND: Patients with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety - emotional distress - after a myocardial infarction (MI) have been shown to have worse prognosis and increased healthcare costs. However, whether specific subgroups of patients with emotional distress are more vulnerable is less well established. The purpose of this study was to identify the association between different patterns of emotional distress over time with late cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality among first-MI patients aged <75 years in Sweden. METHODS: We utilized data on 57,602 consecutive patients with a first-time MI from the national SWEDEHEART registers. Emotional distress was assessed using the anxiety/depression dimension of the European Quality of Life Five Dimensions questionnaire two and 12 months after the MI, combined into persistent (emotional distress at both time-points), remittent (emotional distress at the first follow-up only), new (emotional distress at the second-follow up only) or no distress. Data on cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality were obtained until the study end-time. We used multiple imputation to create complete datasets and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios. RESULTS: Patients with persistent emotional distress were more likely to die from cardiovascular (hazard ratio: 1.46, 95% confidence interval: 1.16, 1.84) and non-cardiovascular causes (hazard ratio: 1.54, 95% confidence interval: 1.30, 1.82) than those with no distress. Those with remittent emotional distress were not statistically significantly more likely to die from any cause than those without emotional distress. DISCUSSION: Among patients who survive 12 months, persistent, but not remittent, emotional distress was associated with increased cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality. This indicates a need to identify subgroups of individuals with emotional distress who may benefit from further assessment and specific treatment.

Background: The Secondary Prevention in Uppsala Primary Healthcare Project (SUPRIM) is a prospective randomized controlled trial of a group-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) stress management program for coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. The intervention reduced the risk of fatal or non-fatal first recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events. The aim of the present study was to analyze if the positive effects of the CBT program on clinical outcomes could have been mediated by changes in biomarkers for inflammation. Methods: Altogether 362 patients with CHD were randomly assigned to intervention or usual care. The inflammatory biomarkers (VCAM-1, TNF-R1, TNF-R2, PTX3, and hs-CRP) were serially assessed at five time points every six months from study start until 24 months later, and analyzed with linear mixed models. Results: Baseline levels of the inflammatory markers were near normal, indicating a stable phase. The group-based CBT stress management program did not significantly affect the levels of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with CHD. Three out of five (VCAM-1, TNF-R2, and PTX3) inflammatory biomarkers showed a slight increase over time in both study groups, and all were positively associated with age. Conclusion: Group-based CBT stress management did not affect biomarkers for inflammation in patients with CHD. It is therefore unlikely that inflammatory processes including these biomarkers were mediating the effect the CBT program had on the reduction in CV events. The close to normal baseline levels of the biomarkers and the lack of elevated psychological distress symptoms indicate a possible floor effect which may have influenced the results. Keywords: Biomarkers, CBT, CHD, inflammation, stress management

Background Symptoms of depression and anxiety are common after a myocardial infarction (MI). Web-based cognitive behavioral therapy (wCBT) may improve access to effective psychological treatment to reduce these symptoms. The aim of this prospective randomized trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of a wCBT intervention to reduce self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety among patients with a recent MI. Methods In total, 3928 patients were assessed for eligibility in routine care setting at 25 hospitals. Of these, 239 patients (33% women, mean age 60 years) with a recent MI (< 3 months) and symptoms of depression and/or anxiety assessed with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were randomly allocated to a therapist-supported 14 week wCBT program (n=117) or standard of care (n=122). The wCBT program was a tailored intervention with 10 different eligible modules, especially designed for MI patients. Treatment was evaluated according to the intention-to-treat principle. The primary outcome was group difference in HADS total score (HADS-T) at follow-up. Multiple imputation was performed. The pooled treatment effect was thereafter estimated in a multiple linear model, controlling for baseline HADS, age and sex. Results There was a reduction in HADS-T over time in the total study sample (delta = -5.1; P < .0001). The difference at follow-up between the wCBT group and the control group with regard to HADS-T was non-significant (-0.47, [-1.95, 1.00], P=0.53). Treatment adherence was low. In the treatment group, 54% completed the introductory module and 15% completed additional modules. Conclusion This wCBT program did not reduce symptoms of depression and/or anxiety in post-MI patients as compared to standard of care. Low treatment adherence was observed and reasons for this needs to be further explored.

OBJECTIVES: Assess the risk of ischaemic events associated with psychosocial stress in patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: Psychosocial stress was assessed by a questionnaire in 14 577 patients (median age 65.0, IQR 59, 71; 81.6% males) with stable CHD on optimal secondary preventive therapy in the prospective randomized STABILITY clinical trial. Adjusted Cox regression models were used to assess associations between individual stressors, baseline cardiovascular risk factors and outcomes. RESULTS: After 3.7 years of follow-up, depressive symptoms, loss of interest and financial stress were associated with increased risk (hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval) of CV death (1.21, 1.09-1.34; 1.15, 1.05-1.27; and 1.19, 1.08-1.30, respectively) and the primary composite end-point of CV death, nonfatal MI or nonfatal stroke (1.21, 1.13-1.30; 1.19, 1.11-1.27; and 1.17, 1.10-1.24, respectively). Living alone was related to higher risk of CV death (1.68, 1.38-2.05) and the primary composite end-point (1.28, 1.11-1.48), whereas being married as compared with being widowed, was associated with lower risk of CV death (0.64, 0.49-0.82) and the primary composite end-point (0.81, 0.67-0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Psychosocial stress, such as depressive symptoms, loss of interest, living alone and financial stress, were associated with increased CV mortality in patients with stable CHD despite optimal medical secondary prevention treatment. Secondary prevention of CHD should therefore focus also on psychosocial issues both in clinical management and in future clinical trials.

I vårt debattinlägg betonade vi att psykisk ohälsa är ett vida utbrett problem och att patienter inte får effektiv hjälp eftersom det finns ett omfattande underskott på psykologer inom primärvården. Vi var kritiska till Centerpartiets vårdreform som riskerar medföra att problemet förvärras eftersom det inte skulle öka antalet psykologer vilka kan genomföra de behandlingar som Socialstyrelsen rekommenderar.

Background:The Secondary Prevention in Uppsala Primary Healthcare Project (SUPRIM) was a randomized controlledtrial of a group-based cognitive behavioural therapy stress management programme for patients with coronary heartdisease. The project was successful in reducing the risk of fatal or non-fatal first recurrent cardiovascular events. The aimof this study was to analyse the effect of cognitive behavioural therapy on self-rated stress, somatic anxiety, vitalexhaustion and depression and to study the associations of these factors with the reduction in cardiovascular events. Methods:A total of 362 patients were randomly assigned to intervention or usual care groups. The psychologicaloutcomes were assessed five times during 24 months and analysed using linear mixed models. The mediating roles of theoutcomes were analysed using joint modelling of the longitudinal and time to event data. Results:The intervention had a positive effect on somatic anxiety (p<0.05), reflecting a beneficial development overtime compared with the controls. Stress, vital exhaustion and depression did not differ between the groups over time.Mediator analysis suggested that somatic anxiety may have mediated the effect of treatment on cardiovascular events. Conclusions:The intervention had a small positive effect on somatic anxiety, but did not affect stress, vital exhaustionor depression in patients with coronary heart disease. Somatic anxiety was associated with an increased risk of cardio-vascular events and might act as a partial mediator in the treatment effect on cardiovascular events. However, themechanisms between the intervention and the protective cardiovascular outcome remain to be identified.

Background: Major depression and depressive symptoms are common in patients with a recent myocardial infarction (MI), and depression is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Anxiety post-MI is less studied, but occurs commonly in patients with heart disease, and is also considered a risk factor for recurrence of cardiac events. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is an established therapy for depression and anxiety disorders. To the best of our knowledge, there have not been any studies to determine if internet-based CBT (iCBT) can reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with a recent MI. The main aim of the U-CARE Heart trial is to evaluate an iCBT intervention for patients with a recent MI. Methods/design: This is a randomized, controlled, prospective study with a multicenter design. A total of 500 participants will be randomized at a 1:1 ratio, around two months after an acute MI, to either iCBT or to a control group. Both groups will receive an optimal standard of care according to guidelines. The intervention consists of a self-help program delivered via the internet with individual online support from a psychologist. Treatment duration is 14 weeks. The primary outcome is change in patients' self-rated anxiety and depression symptoms from baseline to end of treatment. An internal pilot study was conducted indicating sufficient levels of study acceptability and engagement in treatment. Discussion: The present study is designed to evaluate an iCBT intervention targeting symptoms of depression and anxiety in a post-MI population. If effective, iCBT has several advantages, and will potentially be implemented as an easily accessible treatment option added to modern standard of care.

I WoS-posten heter en av författarna Nordlund, men detta är en felskrivning: Norlund är det korrekta namnet.

Background The Interheart Study showed that psychosocial stress increased the risk of myocardial infarction (OR 2.67). The Secondary Prevention in Uppsala Primary healthcare project (SUPRIM) tested whether stress management after myocardial infarction could decrease risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. SUPRIM was a randomized controlled trial in which CHD patients attended a CBT group stress management program. During 94 months of follow-up there was a 45% reduction of recurrent myocardial infarctions (MI) in the intervention group. There were no differences between intervention and control patientes in standard risk factors. Thus, we assumed that psychological mechanisms could explain the effects on hard endpoints. Method 362 MI patients were assessed by a package of self-rating psychometric instrument, and this paper examined whether hostility, time urgency, depression, somatic anxiety, and vital exhaustion decreased more in the intervention group than in the control group. Data collected from 5 points of measurement over 24 months were analyzed with multi-linear regression. Results The intervention had a significant effect on hostility, time urgency, and somatic anxiety. Vital exhaustion and depression scores showed no differences. There was a significant relationship between attendance rate and decrease of hostility, but no association between attendance rate and levels of vital exhaustion or depression. Conclusions Treatment effects were demonstrated in measures that assessed emotional reactivity. These changes are possibly linked to physiological and hormonal mechanisms. However, it is to a considerable degree still unknown why and how the stress management intervention impacts disease endpoints., SUPRIM

U-CARE is one of the Swedish government’s strategic research programs atUppsala University. The overarching goal is to promote psychosocial healthamong patients suffering from somatic disease and their significant others by means of self-help programs delivered via an internet platform. Another goal is to reduce costs for individuals and the society caused by emotional distress in response to somatic disease. Professionals within clinical psychology, health economics, and information systems collaborate to reach this goal. Approximately 20% of patients suffering from somatic disease as well as theirsignificant others experience a clinically relevant level of emotional distress in response to disease and treatment. This is in itself alerting, but becomes even moreproblematic since physicians and nurses show low sensitivity and specificityin detecting patients and significant others experiencing a clinically relevant level of distress. This can result in persistent distress causing human suffering as well as costs for individuals and the society. During 2010-2011 an internet platform: www.u-care.se to provide interactive support and cognitive behavioral therapy has been constructed within the U-CARE program. The platform supports, among other things, rule-based unfolding of self-help material for participants, interaction between participants and therapists, interaction within a participant community, and research including a detailed log of participants’ behaviors on the platform. In addition self-help programs of interactive support and cognitive behavioural therapy for adolescents with cancer: U-CARE: TeenCan, adults with cancer: U-CARE: AdultsCan, and adults having had a myocardial infarct: U-CARE: Heart to be provided via www.u-care.se have been constructed. Through a multi-disciplinary and design-oriented approach, the U-CARE program aims at developing new evidence-based knowledge in basic and applied psychosocial health care,and actively promoting its implement, U-CARE