Depression in Survivors of Acute Myocardial Infarction

There was growing evidence of increased cardiovascular risk in patients with depressive disorders.

To determinate the percentage of depression of the three investigated groups of patients with myocardial infarction and to determinate the correlation between sociodemographic characteristic and level of depression in survivors of AMI.

The study was designed as observation cross-section including 120 patients treated at the University Clinic of Cardiology Skopje during 2018-2019 year, observed as 3 groups: group 1 was presented with patients during hospitalization for AMI, group 2 were patients survivors after 3 months of the acute coronary event and group 3 patients survivors after 12 months of the acute coronary event, Depression status was assessed using BDI.

the three groups presented almost equal representation of depression according BDI (X²=1,182, df=2, p=0,913) presented with 34,1 %, 30,8% and 30% respectively. The three groups of patients did not show significant difference according distribution of gender smoking , physical activity, stress, diabetes mellitus, age, mean BDI, BMI, Systolic BP, age of education and marital status . Only group 3 presented significantly higher diastole BP comparing in group 1 and group 2 (F=9,532, df=2,p< 0,001). The depression (BDI score) in examination groups was associated with sociodemographic and clinical parameters where female gender, higher education level, decreased BMI, smoking, decreased physical activity, younger age and single status are independent predictors of depression in patients who survived acute myocardial infarction.

The results obtained in our study showed indicative representation of depression in patients survivors of AMI and significant association with sociodemographic and clinical parameters as predictors of depressive disorder. Regular screening for depression in patients survivors of AMI may improve the therapy decision, prognosis and the quality of patients' life.