Quality of life and psychological impact in patients with noncardiac chest pain

BACKGROUND: Chest pain is common and data regarding noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) in Asia are lacking. AIM: To determine the differences in clinical presentations, psychologic impact, and quality of life between patients with NCCP and cardiac chest pain (CCP), and to identify any factors that impacted on these patients. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography for the evaluation of chest pain were recruited in Hong Kong and Wuhan, China. One hundred and forty patients with abnormal and 141 patients with normal angiography were included in the study. The validated gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale, and the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) were used for assessment. RESULTS: NCCP patients reported similar days-off work and impairment of their social life compared with those with CCP. No difference was found in the anxiety and depression scores between the 2 groups. NCCP patients with reflux symptoms had higher anxiety score (7.19 vs. 5.74, P=0.044), reported more interruption of their social life (26% vs. 5%, P<0.0001), and had taken more sick leaves (17% vs. 5%, P=0.018) compared with those without gastroesophageal reflux disease. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life and psychologic impact of patients with NCCP were as significant as those with CCP. NCCP patients with reflux symptoms were more anxious and were impaired in their productivity and social life.