Beta-blocker medication usage in older women after myocardial infarction.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess demographic characteristics of women prescribed beta-blocker (beta-blocker) medication and compare to those not using beta-blocker medication, and to determine if there are differences in depression and fatigue among women who used beta-blockers compared to nonusers 6-12 months after myocardial infarction (MI).


METHODS
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 84 women (61 using beta-blockers and 23 not using beta-blockers) aged 65 and older who were 6-12 months post-MI. Women had their height and weight measured and completed a Demographic Health Form, the Geriatric Depression Scale, and the Revised Piper Fatigue Scale (RPFS).


CONCLUSIONS
While most of the women were taking beta-blockers after MI (74%), significantly fewer Black women were taking beta-blockers (chi(2) = 5.086, p = 0.032). Most of the beta-blocker users were overweight or obese. There were no significant differences in age, t(82) = 0.7, p = 0.486; body mass index, t(82) = 0.76, p = 0.445; income, chi(2)(df = 2) = 3.219, p = 0.075; mean depression, t(82) = 1.648, p = 0.103; or fatigue scores, t(82) = 0.993, p = 0.324, between beta-blocker users and nonusers. More of those not taking beta-blockers reported fatigue with significantly higher fatigue in the affective meaning dimension of the RPFS, t(82) = 2.272, p = 0.03.


CONCLUSIONS
beta-Blocker medication continues to be underutilized in older women. Because no difference was noted in fatigue and depression in the two groups, these may mean that these side effects are not barriers in prescribing this medication post-MI. Nurse practitioners are in pivotal positions to monitor the ongoing physiological and psychological sequelae post-MI and implement interventions to improve their outcomes.
Crane
Patricia B
PB
School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402-6170, USA. pbcrane@uncg.edu
Oles
Karen S
KS
Kennedy-Malone
Laurie
L
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014930:Women; D016387:Women's Health
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists