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Morning and afternoon serum cortisol level in patients with post-myocardial infarction depression

Alina Wilkowska1, Andrzej Rynkiewicz2, Joanna Wdowczyk3

  • 1Department of Adult Psychiatry, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland. ali.wilkowska@gmail.com.

Cardiology Journal
|October 25, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Post-myocardial depression, a common issue after heart attacks, is linked to altered cortisol levels. Patients with depression showed a flattened diurnal cortisol profile, impacting their recovery and prognosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Post-myocardial infarction depression is a prevalent complication.
  • It negatively impacts the prognosis of coronary artery disease.
  • Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation and cortisol disturbances are potential pathogenetic factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between post-myocardial infarction depression and diurnal cortisol profiles.
  • To assess cortisol levels in patients experiencing their first myocardial infarction.

Main Methods:

  • Thirty-seven patients hospitalized for a first myocardial infarction were included.
  • Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
  • Morning and afternoon serum cortisol samples were collected on day five post-MI.

Main Results:

  • Depression (BDI ≥ 10) was diagnosed in 34.4% of patients.
  • A significant difference in diurnal cortisol profiles was observed between depressed and non-depressed patients (p = 0.0328).
  • Depressed patients exhibited a flattened diurnal serum cortisol pattern.

Conclusions:

  • Depressive symptoms following myocardial infarction are associated with a flattened diurnal cortisol profile.
  • This flattened profile is more pronounced in patients with longer-lasting depressive symptoms.
  • Cortisol dysregulation may play a role in the pathophysiology of post-MI depression.
Abstract

Keywords:
cortisoldepressionhypothalamic pituitary adrenal axismyocardial infarction

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