Frequency of Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of the current study was to determine the frequency of anxiety and depression among patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) at a tertiary care cardiac center in Pakistan.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care cardiac center in Pakistan from May to November 2019. We included patients of either gender, between 30 and 70 years of age, diagnosed with ACS, and presented within 72 hours of onset of symptoms. After the standard treatment of the condition, the Beck Depression Inventory Scale (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were used to assess post-AMI depression and anxiety. The BDI ≥17 was categorized as depression and BAI ≥11 was taken as anxiety.

Results: In the selected sample of 122 patients, the mean age was 58.7 ± 10.2 years and 88 (72.1%) patients were male. Diabetes mellitus was detected in 76 (62.3%) patients and 64 (52.5%) patients were smokers. The mean BDI score was 28.6 ± 6.5 and mean BAI score was 19.5 ± 5.1. Anxiety and depression were observed in 36 (29.5%) and 51 (41.8%) patients, respectively.

Conclusion: Depression and anxiety are a common remnants of ACS, hence, in our day to day clinical practice, appropriate consideration should be given to the psychological wellbeing of patients in addition to the management of ACS.