The consequences of angina were assessed by a questionnaire completed by 1
528 out-hospital doctors (79% of general practitioners, 21% of cardiologist
s) on 3 654 patients.
This population comprised 2 304 men (64%) and 1 282 women (36%) with a mean
age of 69.5 years (men : 67.1, women : 73.8 years). Previous myocardial in
farction was present in 36.6% of cases and the average number of angina att
acks was 3.1 per month. Angina seemed to affect the social behaviour of 25
to 30% of patients, the affective behaviour of 40% of patients and everyday
life style in 60% of cases. Sixty per cent of patients had difficulties in
their work and 60% also had psychological consequences of the angina.
The social consequences of angina were different according to the patient's
gender. Women were more affected in family life and men in their affective
behaviour. The psychological consequences were also different : women were
more likely to be anxious or depressed whereas men were usually more irrit
able. The incidence of anxio-depressive reactions with age was not studied
(the female population was older), The higher incidence of anxio-depressive
symptoms in women may be partially explained by their age at the time of d
iagnosis and the difference in prognosis between men and women when coronar
y artery disease is established.