Quality of life is related to psychological distress in patient with PE

<bold>Introduction.</bold> Previous studies have identified patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) as a "truly high-risk" group for psychological distress. Psychological distress has been associated with longer hospital stay and poor health-related quality of life at mid-term. However, no previous studies have reported the association between psychological distress (in particular anxiety) and quality of life in PE patients. <bold>Objetive.</bold> The aim of this study was to determine whether psychological distress, specifically anxiety, at discharge is associated to quality of life in PE patients. <bold>Methods.</bold> A longitudinal observational study with a follow-up of 1 month was conducted. Patients hospitalized for PE were included and assessed with DASS-21 (Depression Anxiety Stress) and Pulmonary Embolism Quality of Life questionnaire (PEmb-QoL). Patients were classified into two groups based on the DASS-21 anxiety subscale: anxiety group (AG) scored >9 on the DASS-21 anxiety subscale and in the non-anxiety group (NAG) scored <9. <bold>Results.</bold> 56 pulmonary embolism patients were included. At discharge, there were significance differences between group for quality of life in social (p=0,041) and emotional (p=0,042) subscales. At one-month follow-up, there were significant differences between AG and NAG for symptoms frequency and intensity (p=0,008; p=0,005), social (p=0,05), and emotional subscales (p=0,0017). <bold>Conclusion.</bold> Pulmonary embolism patients with anxiety at discharge and one month after hospital stay have a poorer quality of life than those without anxiety.