MenDis-CHD I

Quality of care regarding the detection and treatment of mental disorders in patients with coronary heart disease in Cologne

Depression, anxiety or impaired mental performance are common in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and affect the quality of life of both patients and their relatives. The course of coronary heart disease is also less favourable due to the simultaneous occurrence of psychological stress. This research project investigated the quality of life and care situation of patients with CHD and possible psychological stress.

MenDis-CHD I is one of three studies that are being carried out in the first and second funding phase of the BMBF-funded joint project CoRe-Net. The aim of MenDis-CHD I was to investigate the quality of care for high-risk patients suffering from CHD and an additional mental disorder (e.g. depression, anxiety disorder) with regard to the detection rate of mental disorders and their treatment. Furthermore, the project should initiate changes in the structure of healthcare towards more patient-centred care. Possible barriers to policy-based healthcare should be identified and analysed in terms of their underlying causes.

Duration of the project: 02/2017 – 01/2020
Project funding: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

Specifically MenDis-CHD-I:

(1) the the current status of diagnostics and treatment of psychological comorbidities in CHD patients

(2) the course and detection rate of mental comorbidity in patients in secondary care

(3) the impact of mental comorbidity and its treatment on quality of life and patient satisfaction

(4) the needs and preferences of patients

(5) possible barriers to the implementation of guideline-based diagnostic and therapeutic procedures

For this purpose, data was collected via questionnaires and interviews with patients were conducted:

Secondary data analysis: Evaluation of statutory health insurance (SHI) data on the prevalence of mental illnesses in patients with CHD and their use of the healthcare system.

Patient examination: n = 753 CHD patients were gradually screened for concomitant mental disorders. Of these, 364 patients were actually included in the study and examined. A total of n = 20 people was subjected to a qualitative interview.

Survey of relatives: n = 75 quantitative surveys and n = 20 qualitative interviews.

Service providers: Focus groups (3-5) with the professions involved in the provision of care with the participation of OrgValue.

Further information on MenDis-CHD is available at:

MenDis-CHD II

Archive from MenDis-CHD I

Prof. Dr. Christian Albus
(Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Cologne)

Prof. Dr. Frank Jessen
(Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Cologne)

Prof. Dr. Frank Schulz-Nieswandt
(Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology, University of Cologne)

Samia Peltzer
(Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Cologne)

Hendrik Müller
(Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Cologne)

Ursula Köstler
(Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology, University of Cologne)

Katja Blaschke
(PMV research group)

Dr. Ingrid Schubert
(PMV research group)