Inadequate treatment of depression after myocardial infarction

Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2002 Dec;106(6):434-9. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0447.2002.01428.x.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and the self-reported psychiatric treatment after myocardial infarction.

Method: Depressive symptoms and medication were studied in 85 consecutive acute myocardial infarction patients during 18 months follow-up. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results: The proportion of patients with depressive symptoms (BDI >/= 10) was 21.2% while in hospital, 30.0% at 6 months and 33.9% at 18 months. At 18 months, none of the patients were receiving adequate antidepressive medication. There were eight patients with BDI scores corresponding to moderate/severe depression (BDI >/= 19). Six of these patients were receiving benzodiazepine medication and two of them had been treated in the mental health care system after the myocardial infarction.

Conclusion: There seems to be considerable problems in the diagnosis and/or treatment of depression after myocardial infarction.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / therapy*
  • Female
  • Finland / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction / epidemiology*
  • Myocardial Infarction / psychology*
  • Myocardial Infarction / rehabilitation
  • Prevalence
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors