[Depression after myocardial infarction and its psychosocial conditions].

UNLABELLED Depression after myocardial infarction has influence on patients quality of life, compliance and probably cardiological prognosis. The recognition of factors connected with post infarct depressive symptoms has a significant role for rehabilitation in coronary heart disease. AIM The aim of the study was: 1) the assessment of depressive symptoms intensity after myocardial infarction (MI), 2) to estimate correlations between post infarct depressive symptoms intensity and present examination of cardiovascular system, past history of depression and coronary heart disease, some psychosocial factors and life events during the one year period before coronary infarct. METHOD A structured interview--Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Beck Depression Inventory, Social Readjustment Rating Scale and Recent Life Changes Scale were used in the analysis of 102 in-patients after myocardial infarction. RESULTS Significant correlations between higher depression symptoms intensity after MI and: stressful life events before MI, unemployment, lower education level, history of treated coronary artery disease, depression in the last 6 months before MI, high BMI and benzodiazepine use in the last year were stated. The most often depressive symptoms were not very specific for depressive syndrome. CONCLUSIONS Clinical (major) depression was diagnosed in 10.8% of the patients after heart infarct. However depressive symptoms (more than 10 Beck points) were present in 40%. The diagnosis of post-myocardial depression may be essentially difficult because of the non-specific character of complains. Significant correlations between intensity of depressive symptoms after myocardial infarct and psychosocial stressors was confirmed. It seems that the most important stressors are those connected with home and family.