J B Chambers1, E M Marks1,2, V Russell1, M S Hunter2. 1. Cardiothoracic Centre, Guy's and St Thomas Hospital, London, UK. 2. Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) affects up to 80% of patients attending chest pain clinics, but its treatment is suboptimal. AIM: To describe the outcomes of a pilot, stepped care, biopsychosocial management programme in terms of improvements in chest pain, psychosocial scores and use of healthcare resources. METHODS: Of 198 referrals, 77 patients were suitable for the clinic and received a one hour biopsychosocial assessment. Stepped care consisted of assessment only, low intensity Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), or high intensity CBT. RESULTS: The proportion with pain occurring more than once monthly fell from 100% at baseline to 61% at 3 months (p < 0.001). Pain interference reduced significantly (p < 0.001) from 5.9 [SD 2.2] at baseline to 3.2 [SD 2.6] at 3 months. Depression scores improved from a mean 8.8 to 5.4 (p < 0.05) and anxiety from 6.9 to 4.6 (p < 0.05). Use of healthcare resources improved with a fall in consultations for chest pain over 6 months from a mean 2.6 to 0.1 (p < 0.05). The impact on work and social functioning reduced from 10.4 [SD 10.4] to 3.9 [SD 7.5]: [t (70) = 6.3, p < 0.001). Further improvements occurred at 6 months for chest pain frequency (which fell to 51%, p = 0.003), interference (2.6 [SD 2.1], p < 0.05) and avoidance of exercise (p = 0.03). Otherwise improvements were maintained between 3 and 6 months. CONCLUSION: A stepped-care biopsychosocial approach to NCCP is effective in reducing chest pain frequency and improving behaviour and wellbeing. It can be delivered in part by a nurse allowing integration into any chest pain clinic.
BACKGROUND:Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) affects up to 80% of patients attending chest pain clinics, but its treatment is suboptimal. AIM: To describe the outcomes of a pilot, stepped care, biopsychosocial management programme in terms of improvements in chest pain, psychosocial scores and use of healthcare resources. METHODS: Of 198 referrals, 77 patients were suitable for the clinic and received a one hour biopsychosocial assessment. Stepped care consisted of assessment only, low intensity Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), or high intensity CBT. RESULTS: The proportion with pain occurring more than once monthly fell from 100% at baseline to 61% at 3 months (p < 0.001). Pain interference reduced significantly (p < 0.001) from 5.9 [SD 2.2] at baseline to 3.2 [SD 2.6] at 3 months. Depression scores improved from a mean 8.8 to 5.4 (p < 0.05) and anxiety from 6.9 to 4.6 (p < 0.05). Use of healthcare resources improved with a fall in consultations for chest pain over 6 months from a mean 2.6 to 0.1 (p < 0.05). The impact on work and social functioning reduced from 10.4 [SD 10.4] to 3.9 [SD 7.5]: [t (70) = 6.3, p < 0.001). Further improvements occurred at 6 months for chest pain frequency (which fell to 51%, p = 0.003), interference (2.6 [SD 2.1], p < 0.05) and avoidance of exercise (p = 0.03). Otherwise improvements were maintained between 3 and 6 months. CONCLUSION: A stepped-care biopsychosocial approach to NCCP is effective in reducing chest pain frequency and improving behaviour and wellbeing. It can be delivered in part by a nurse allowing integration into any chest pain clinic.
Authors: Kirsti A Campbell; Elizabeth N Madva; Ana C Villegas; Eleanor E Beale; Scott R Beach; Jason H Wasfy; Ariana M Albanese; Jeff C Huffman Journal: Psychosomatics Date: 2016-12-09 Impact factor: 2.386
Authors: Lei Zhang; Lei Tu; Jie Chen; Jun Song; Tao Bai; Xue-Lian Xiang; Rui-Yun Wang; Xiao-Hua Hou Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2017-01-07 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: Leeanne Nicklas; Mairi Albiston; Martin Dunbar; Alan Gillies; Jennifer Hislop; Helen Moffat; Judy Thomson Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2022-09-07 Impact factor: 2.908
Authors: Mette Jensen Stochkendahl; Jan Sørensen; Werner Vach; Henrik Wulff Christensen; Poul Flemming Høilund-Carlsen; Jan Hartvigsen Journal: Open Heart Date: 2016-05-04
Authors: Lei Zhang; Lei Tu; Jie Chen; Tao Bai; Jun Song; Xuelian Xiang; Ruiyun Wang; Xiaohua Hou Journal: Medicine (Baltimore) Date: 2016-11 Impact factor: 1.889