Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Articles by Grace, S. L. Articles by Stewart, D. E. PubMed Citation Articles by Grace, S. L. Articles by Stewart, D. E. Syndromes Secondary to General Medical Disorders Antidepressants

A Prospective Examination of Antidepressant Use and Its Correlates in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

Received September 20, 2006; revised December 19, 2006; accepted January 4, 2007. From York University and University Health Network Women’s Health Program, York University; University Health Network, Women’s Health Program, and University of Toronto. Send correspondence and reprint requests to Sherry L. Grace, Ph.D., Kinesiology and Health Science, 368 Bethune College, 4700 Keele St., Toronto, Ontario M3J1P3 Canada. e-mail: sgrace{at}yorku.ca
© 2008 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine

BACKGROUND: Depression has been implicated in the occurrence of recurrent coronary events and cardiac or all-cause mortality in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. OBJECTIVE: The authors describe the frequency and type of antidepressant use and its correlates 18 months after ACS hospital discharge. METHOD: A sample of 661 ACS inpatients, recruited from three hospitals, completed a sociodemographic survey and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and clinical data were extracted from charts. A mailed survey 9 months and 18 months post-discharge assessed self-reported antidepressant use, and the HADS was re-administered. RESULTS: Approximately 9% of participants reported antidepressant use both 9 and 18 months post-hospitalization, with 77% concordance in usage over time. Participants most frequently reported using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and least often tricyclics. Logistic regression revealed that antidepressant users were more likely to be anxious and have more comorbidity, and were less likely to work full-time, whereas number of medications, age, and marital status were not related. CONCLUSION: Patients with comorbid physical and mental conditions who are unemployed may be more likely to receive an antidepressant because of greater depression symptoms or greater exposure to healthcare providers, which increases the potential for symptom recognition and treatment.

Key Words: Heart Disease • Antidepressants

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2008 Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us