Depression after a first coronary acute syndrome: Prevalence and predictive factors

Abstract

Post Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) depression is a common manifestation that can interfere with the management of ACS. The identification of patients at risk of developing this disorder will ensure overall management of coronary artery disease. Estimate the prevalence of post ACS depression following a first episode of ACS and identify predictive factors for the onset of this disorder. We conducted a prospective, multicentric study across four cardiology departments from June to December 2018. We included hospitalized patients for a first episode of ACS. A screening of depressive symptoms was performed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, in two stages, in-hospital (T0) and between 30 and 59 days after hospital discharge (T1). We enrolled 110 patients. The prevalence of depressive symptomatology at T0 and T1 was respectively 19.1% and 12.7%. At T0, drinking alcohol was the only independent predictor of depression ( P = 0.01; adjusted OR = 4.68; CI 95% :1.449-15.107). At T1, depression was significantly associated with drinking alcohol, non performining coronary angiography and a high risk for mortality assessed by the GRACE score. No factor was linked to depression in multivariate study. The high prevalence of post ACS depressive symptomatology reflects the importance of mental health of coronary patients. A collaboration between cardiologists and psychiatrists is needed to improve the quality of life of coronary patients.