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Acute myocardial infarction: psychosocial and cardiovascular risk factors in men
1Department of Epidemiology, University of Porto Medical School, Portugal.
Background:
Controversy still exists over the independent role of psychosocial factors in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aimed to compare psychometric indices in Portuguese patients surviving a first episode of AMI and a community sample free of AMI.
Design:
A community-based, case-control study. The study sample included 153 male patients with a first episode of AMI and 156 male controls randomly selected from the community.
Methods:
Information on demographic, social, medical and behavioural characteristics was obtained using a structured questionnaire; anthropometric, blood pressure, and serum measurements were performed, and the psychometric evaluation was obtained using a self-evaluation questionnaires (Bortner scale, Beck Depression Inventory, SCL-90-R, Psychological General Well-Being and the Nottingham Health Profile).
Results:
Cases of AMI more often exhibited type A behaviour (15.4 +/- 3.0 versus 14.7 +/- 2.7, P = 0.041), had more depressive symptoms (10.8 +/- 8.0 versus 8.6 +/- 8.0, P = 0.005) and showed worse scores on general well-being (68.4 +/- 17.7 versus 76.6 +/- 16.2, P < 0.001) than controls. Cases were significantly different from controls in terms of years of education (6.7 +/- 4.4 versus 9.0 +/- 4.7 years, P < 0.001), hypertension (43.1% versus 30.1%, P = 0.024), dislipidaemia (43.8% versus 34.0%, P = 0.038), type I obesity (53.6% versus 42.3%, P = 0.045), smoking (54.1% versus 26.5%, P < 0.001), no practise of exercise (68.5% versus 50.3%, P = 0.002) and presence of non-insulin-dependent diabetics (16.3% versus 6.4%, P = 0.010). After adjusting for such factors a similar set of significant psychometric results was found.
Conclusion:
Type A behaviour, depression and lower levels of well-being and quality of life, independent of other cardiovascular risk factors, were significant features of AMI cases.
Insights
Psychosocial factors like Type A behavior and depression are independently linked to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Survivors of AMI exhibit poorer well-being and quality of life compared to the general population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- The independent role of psychosocial factors in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains debated.
- This study investigated psychometric differences between Portuguese AMI survivors and a matched community sample.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare psychometric indices in patients surviving a first AMI episode versus a control group.
- To determine if psychosocial factors are independent risk factors for AMI.
Main Methods:
- A community-based, case-control study involving 153 male AMI survivors and 156 male controls.
- Data collection included questionnaires on demographics, behavior, and psychometric evaluations (e.g., Beck Depression Inventory, SCL-90-R).
- Medical and anthropometric measurements were also performed.
Main Results:
- AMI cases showed significantly higher Type A behavior, depressive symptoms, and lower general well-being.
- Significant differences were observed in education, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, smoking, exercise habits, and diabetes prevalence.
- Psychometric differences remained significant after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Type A behavior, depression, and reduced well-being/quality of life are significant features of AMI cases.
- These psychosocial factors appear to be independent of other traditional cardiovascular risk factors.