Depression in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: To study the prevalence of depression in Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) patients. Methods: Patients diagnosed with Acute coronary syndrome and attending cardiology OPD after 2-4 weeks of index episode were the subjects (n=75). Study period was from st January 2011 to 29th Feb 2012. Patients already on antidepressants were excluded from the study. WHO Well Being Index was used as a screening tool. Diagnosis of depressive disorder was made through clinical interview as per the criteria given in International Classification of disease 10th ed. (ICD-10). Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) was applied to rate the severity of depressive episode. Socio demographic profile and other clinical variables of two groups (ACS with or without depression) were compared. It was a single point cross sectional study. Prevalence rate of depression was obtained and chi square test was applied to compare variables associated with depression in ACS. Result: Prevalence of depressive disorder was found to be 22.7% (n=17) in our sample. Socio demographic and clinical variables were comparable between the two groups except for the history of current substance use (p=.045) and history of past depressive episode (p=0.021), which were significantly associated with depression in post ACS patients. Conclusion: It could be concluded from the study that unrecognized and untreated depression was frequent in ACS patients 2-4 weeks after the index episode. In our study substance intake+ and past history of a depressive episode were the risk factors associated with depression post ACS and subjects with history of these should be screened specifically for depression and adequately treated. How to cite this article:Makkar D, Jiloha RC. Depression in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients. J Adv Res Psychol Psychother 2019; 2(3&4): 23-28. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2581.5822.201912