Is there cardiac risk in Generalized Anxiety Disorder? Does this relationship shed light on future treatment protocols?

English (OpenAlex)

Aim: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a subtype of anxiety disorder that differs in symptoms and clinical findings. There is excessive and pervasive worry about everyday life conditions, physical performance in GAD. Changes in ventricular repolarization may play a role and interact with this process. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether ventricular repolarization parameters interact with the level of GAD and highlight for followed-up treatment. Material and Methods: One hundred eighteen patients (non-smoker, non-alcoholic) without a previous psychiatric disease who were newly diagnosed with GAD were included in this study between March 2021 and February 2022. One hundred twenty healthy individuals who did not have any psychiatric or organic disorder and whose Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) score was below five were taken as the control group. A 12-lead ECG was taken at enrolment. The ventricular repolarization parameters were calculated. Results: The individuals participating in the study were divided into two groups: GAD and control groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding demographic characteristics. The TG level (p=0.049) was higher than in the GAD group. Six parameters, including age, gender, TG, Tpeak-Tend interval (Tp-e), QT dispersion, and heart rate were entered into logistic regression analysis. QT dispersion (OR: 1.122; 95%Cl:1.081-1.165;p<0.001) and heart rate (OR: 1.039; 95%Cl:1.002-1.076 ;p<0.037) were found to be independent predictors of GAD. Discussion: QT dispersion associated with ventricular arrhythmia is a simple test that should be closely monitored in patients with GAD and is an important criterion for establishing treatment protocol including drug and physical exercise.