Comparison of participants and non-participants in a randomized study of prevention of depression in patients with acute coronary syndrome.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is higher than in the general population. In a study on prevention of post-ACS depression, more than half of eligible patients declined participation.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether symptoms of depression and anxiety in participants and non-participants predicted participation in the study.


METHODS
This substudy was conducted between May 2005 and April 2007. Patients with ACS, eligible for the study (n=302) were asked four questions on depression and anxiety from the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) screening questionnaire.


RESULTS
The PRIME-MD screening data were available on 232 patients (76.8% of eligible patients). Thirty-eight (35.5%) of 107 participants and 30 (24.0%) of 125 non-participants had a positive screening for depression (NS), and 47 (43.9%) participants and 55 (44%) non-participants were screened positive for anxiety (NS). Non-participants were older (P=0.002), while no significant differences in gender or cardiac diagnosis were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Symptoms of depression and anxiety were highly prevalent in patients after ACS but did not predict participation in the study of prevention of depression.
Hansen
Baiba Hedegaard
BH
Liaison Psychiatry Unit, Psychiatric Centre Bispebjerg, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark. baiba.hansen@gmail.com
Hanash
Jamal Abed
JA
Rasmussen
Alice
A
Hansen
Jørgen Fischer
JF
Birket-Smith
Morten
M
D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D045808:Refusal to Participate / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors