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


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
There seems to be considerable problems in the diagnosis and/or treatment of depression after myocardial infarction.
Luutonen
S
S
Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku, Psychiatric Clinic, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland. sinikka.luutonen@tyks.fi
Holm
H
H
Salminen
J K
JK
Risla
A
A
Salokangas
R K R
RK
D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors