Depressive symptoms and treatment after acute coronary syndrome

Plasma sphingolipids and depressive symptoms in coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Depression is highly prevalent in individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD) and increases the risk of future cardiac events and mortality. Sphingolipids have been implicated in the pathophysiology of both CAD and depression. This study assessed the association between plasma sphingolipid concentrations and depressive symptoms in CAD subjects.

METHODS

Depressive symptoms were measured using the depression subscale of the self-reported Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Sphingolipid concentrations were measured from fasting plasma samples using high-performance liquid chromatography-coupled electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Linear regression models were used to assess associations between log-transformed concentrations of plasma sphingolipids and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

A total of 111 CAD patients (mean (SD) age = 63.6 ± 6.4, 84.7% male) were included. In linear regression analyses, higher plasma concentrations of ceramides C16:0 (β = 0.204, p = .026) and C18:0 (β = 0.209, p = .023) and sphingomyelin SM18:1 (β = 0.210, p = .024) were significantly associated with higher HADS depression subscale score after adjusting for covariates.

CONCLUSION

Sphingolipids, in particular the ceramide species C16:0 and C18:0 and the sphingomyelin species SM18:1, may be implicated in the pathophysiology of depression in CAD. The association between plasma sphingolipid concentrations and depression should be further examined in CAD patients and in other populations.

Depressive symptoms effect on self care behavior during the first month after myocardial infarction

Aim:

To determine the effect of severity of depression symptoms on self care behavior in 15th and 30th day after myocardial infarction (MI).

Materials and Methods:

Gathering data for this cross sectional study was done by Beck depression and self care behavior questionnaires in a heart especial hospital in Rasht in north of Iran. Sample size was 132 after MI patients and data collected from June 2011 to January 2012.

Results:

Scores of depression symptoms in 15th and 30th day after MI and score of self care behavior in these days had significant difference (P<0.0001). Spearman test showed self care behavior had significant relationship with depression symptoms (P<0.0001). GEE model also showed with control of socio demographic and illness related factors, depression symptoms can decrease self care behavior scores (P<0.001).

Conclusion:

Severity of depression symptoms increase in 15th to 30th day after MI. This issue can affect on self care behavior. This issue is emphasized on nurses’ notice to plan suitable self care program for these patients.

Impact of depression treatment on mental and physical health-related quality of life of cardiac patients: a meta-analysis

PURPOSE

: To conduct a meta-analysis evaluating the effectiveness of depression treatment on mental and physical health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of cardiac patients.

METHODS

: Studies were identified using medical, health, psychiatry, psychology, and social sciences databases. Inclusion criteria were (1) 1 or more control conditions, (2) random assignment to condition after admission for myocardial infarction (MI)/acute coronary syndrome, after recording positive results on a depression screener, (3) documentation of depression symptoms at baseline, (4) depression management as a component of the rehabilitation/intervention, (5) validated measure of HRQOL as an outcome, at minimum 6-month followup. For meta-analysis, mental and physical HRQOL were the end points studied, using standardized mean differences for continuous outcome measures, with 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity was explored by calculating I statistic.

RESULTS

: Five randomized controlled trials included in the analysis represented 2105 participants (1058 intervention vs 1047 comparator). Compared with a comparator group at 6 months, a test for overall effect demonstrated statistically significant improvements in mental HRQOL in favor of the intervention (standardized mean differences = -0.29 [-0.38 to -0.20], [P < .00001]; I = 0%). Depression treatment had a modest yet significant impact on physical HRQOL (standardized mean differences = -0.14 [-0.24 to -0.04] [P = .009]; I = 15%).

CONCLUSION

: While the impact of post-MI depression interventions on physical HRQOL is modest, treatment can improve mental HRQOL in a significant way. Future research is required to develop and evaluate a program that can achieve vital improvements in overall HRQOL, and potentially cardiovascular outcomes, of cardiac patients.

Quality of life in medically ill persons with comorbid mental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This systematic review aims to investigate the association between comorbid mental disorders and quality of life (QoL) in patients with chronic medical diseases.

METHODS

Studies investigating adults with diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, asthma, chronic back pain and colorectal cancer were included. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed methodological criteria. Effect sizes for QoL scores were analyzed in random-effects meta-analyses. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

The database search identified 7,291 references and 65 primary studies were included. Medically ill persons with comorbid mental disorders showed a significantly decreased overall (d = -1.10; 95% CI = -1.34 to -0.86), physical (d = -0.64; 95% CI = -0.74 to -0.53) and psychosocial (d = -1.18; 95% CI = -1.42 to -0.95) QoL compared to persons without mental disorders. Subgroup analyses did not reveal significant differences between the examined medical diseases or mental disorders.

CONCLUSION

The review provides evidence of a substantially reduced psychosocial and physical QoL in medically ill patients with comorbid mental disorders. This patient-reported outcome highlights the importance of recognizing and treating comorbid mental disorders in the medically ill.

Predictors of quality of life in Chinese patients with acute coronary syndrome

Predictors of quality of life in Chinese patients with acute coronary syndrome remain unknown. Between January 2006 and March 2009, a prospective cohort study of 782 patients with acute coronary syndrome was carried out, with follow-up 7 months later. Depression and anxiety symptoms were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Quality of life was assessed using the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. To identify predictors of decreased quality of life, both the physical and mental component summary scores were analyzed using multiple and ordinal logistic regression. In our quality-of-life model, diabetes mellitus was an independent risk factor for a low mental component summary score. Anxiety symptoms and the baseline mental component summary score were significant independent predictors of a low mental component summary score. Acute myocardial infarction was found to be a risk factor for a low physical component summary score. Anxiety symptoms, baseline physical component summary score, and systolic blood pressure on admission were significant independent predictive factors. Among patients with acute coronary syndrome, those with acute myocardial infarction, diabetes, or a low baseline quality of life need more care and effective intervention to improve their quality of life.

Quality of life outcomes for depressed and nondepressed older adults in community long-term care

OBJECTIVE

To compare outcomes of mortality, institutionalization, physical and mental quality of life, overall life satisfaction, and satisfaction with living arrangements, for depressed and nondepressed clients after 1 year of community long-term care (CLTC) services.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study with repeated assessments at 6 and 12 months.

SETTING

A publicly funded CLTC agency that coordinates in-home care such as meal delivery, personal care, and nursing care to functionally disabled and low-income adults throughout a Midwestern State.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults aged 60 years and older, starting CLTC services with minimal or no cognitive impairment (N = 551).

MEASUREMENTS

Outcomes included the Medical Outcome Study's Short-Form for physical and mental quality of life and single items for life satisfaction and satisfaction with living arrangements. Diagnostic Interview Schedule and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale determined clients' depression status.

RESULTS

Depressed clients (N = 266) had significantly worse scores for all outcomes than nondepressed clients (N = 285), but mortality and institutionalization were not significantly related to depression. Depression was significantly associated with more positive change in mental health (mean change: depressed group = 4.60, standard deviation [SD] = 14.0; nondepressed group = -1.50, SD =11.2) and overall life satisfaction (mean change: depressed group = 0.10, SD = 1.1; nondepressed group = -0.10, SD = 0.8).

CONCLUSION

After 1 year of CLTC services, depressed clients experienced more improvement in quality of life and life satisfaction, but their outcomes remained significantly lower than nondepressed clients. Depression was consistently and negatively associated with quality of life and satisfaction outcomes.

Impact and clinical management of depression in patients with coronary artery disease

The rates of major adverse coronary events, including recurrent ischemic events and death, in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have been shown to be significantly increased in patients with depression. In addition, health care costs are higher and health-related quality of life is lower in depressed patients with CAD. Several pathophysiologic mechanisms have been proposed for the association of increased events seen in this population. Studies have focused on antidepressants (specifically, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and mirtazapine), psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy), and a wide range of other nonpharmacologic interventions. Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments are known to improve depressive symptoms in patients with CAD, but their effects on outcomes such as mortality and hospital admissions remain controversial. If treatment of depression is warranted, strategies should include sertraline or citalopram, with or without cognitive behavioral therapy, based on the known efficacy and safety of the drugs in this population. Nonpharmacologic therapy such as aerobic exercise has been shown to improve not only depression but also cardiovascular health. When selecting an appropriate antidepressant, clinicians should consider their patients' comorbid conditions and the potential for drug interactions, and treatment should be frequently monitored. Screening for depression in patients with cardiac disease should be instituted on a routine basis by using either case-finding or symptom-triggered approaches. Based on the high prevalence of depression and its known adverse effects in patients with CAD, future research is needed to help determine the role of antidepressants and nonpharmacologic strategies in improving outcomes in patients with both comorbidities.

Efficacy and tolerability of antidepressants for treatment of depression in coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Depression occurs in 18% to 45% of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) where it is associated with an increased risk of acute coronary events and mortality. Our objective was to quantitatively summarize the data on the efficacy and tolerability of antidepressant (AD) treatment for depression in CAD.

METHODS

We performed a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials with a database search of the English literature (to March 2008) and manual search of references.

RESULTS

Four clinical trials with ADs (mirtazapine, citalopram, fluoxetine, and sertraline) of a 9- to 24-week duration involving 798 subjects (402 ADs, 396 placebo) with documented CAD and meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, criteria for depression were included. ADs were superior to placebo for decreasing Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores (402 ADs, 396 placebo; weighted mean difference 1.41, 95% CI 0.53 to 2.29, P = 0.002) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores (373 ADs, 369 placebo; weighted mean difference 2.27, 95% CI 0.60 to 3.94, P = 0.008). The proportion of patients (216 ADs, 213 placebo) who responded (a 50% or more reduction in HDRS scores, OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.54) and remitted (HDRS of 8 or less at final assessment, OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.74), were also significantly higher with AD, compared with placebo, with no significant differences between the 2 groups for overall dropouts (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.68) or dropout owing to adverse events (OR 1.30, 95% CI 0.75 to 2.25). The combined studies were homogeneous except for overall dropout rate (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Treatment with ADs for depression in CAD results in significant therapeutic effects without substantially increased rates of discontinuation.

Broken-Hearted Women: The Complex Relationship between Depression and Cardiovascular Disease

The importance of mind–body health relationships has been recognized for decades, but only recently has the wider medical and cardiovascular community become engaged in understanding and addressing the complex, bidirectional risk relationship between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and depression. Furthermore, it has become increasingly clear that there are incompletely understood sex differences in incidence and outcomes for both conditions that should guide treatment and future research efforts. This review will explore the role of depression in women as a risk factor for incident CVD, its impact on women already suffering from CVD, proposed psychobiologic mechanisms and links, and the implications of sex differences on diagnosis and treatment.

Rationale, design and methodology of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of escitalopram in prevention of Depression in Acute Coronary Syndrome (DECARD)

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of depression in patients with acute coronary syndrome, i.e. myocardial infarction and unstable angina, is higher than in the general population. The prevalence of anxiety is higher as well. Both depression and anxiety are associated with poor cardiac outcomes and higher mortality. Comorbid depression in patients with acute coronary syndrome often goes undiagnosed, and it is therefore a challenging task to prevent this risk factor. The study of DEpression in Coronary ARtery Disease (DECARD) is designed to examine if it is possible to prevent depression in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

METHODS

Two hundred forty non-depressed patients with acute coronary syndrome are randomized to treatment with either escitalopram or placebo for 1 year. Psychiatric and cardiac assessment of patients is performed to evaluate the possibility of preventing depression. Diagnosis of depression and Hamilton Depression Scale are the primary outcome measures.

DISCUSSION

This is the first study of prevention of depression in patients after acute coronary syndrome with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT00140257.

Anxiety and depressive disorders in patients presenting with chest pain to the emergency department: a comparison between cardiac and non-cardiac origin

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders in patients presenting with chest pain to the Emergency Department (ED) and determine if there is a relationship between these and cardiac vs. non-cardiac chest pain.

METHODS

This prospective cross-sectional study was performed in an urban tertiary care hospital between March and October 2005. Consecutive patients presenting with chest pain were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders in patients with chest pain were determined by using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

RESULTS

A total of 324 patients presented to the ED with chest pain during the study period. The mean age of the patients studied was 50.5 +/- 14 years; 67% were men and 33% were women. Of the 324 study patients, 194 (59.9%) patients were diagnosed with non-cardiac chest pain, 16 (4.9%) with stable angina, 84 (25.9%) with unstable angina, and 30 (9.3%) with acute myocardial infarction. No statistically significant differences were determined between patients with cardiac and non-cardiac chest pain both for anxiety (40% vs. 38.1%, respectively; p = 0.737) and depressive disorders (52.3% vs. 52.1%, respectively; p = 0.965).

CONCLUSION

Anxiety and depressive disorders are common among patients presenting with chest pain to the ED. However, the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders is similar between patients with chest pain of cardiac and non-cardiac origin. Chest pain should not be attributed to an anxiety or depressive disorder before organic etiologies are excluded.

Self-reported depression and anti-depressant medication use in essential tremor: cross-sectional and prospective analyses in a population-based study

There are few data on the co-morbidity of essential tremor (ET) with depression. To assess the associations of ET with self-reported depression and antidepressant medication use. In a population-based study in central Spain, participants were evaluated at baseline (1994-1995) and 3 years later. Self-reported depression and use of antidepressant medications were evaluated at each assessment. In cross-sectional analyses, prevalent ET cases were twice more probably than controls to report depression [103 (43.8%) of 235 cases versus 1137 (26.0%) of 4379 controls; adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.66-2.93, P < 0.001] and three times more probably to be taking antidepressant medications [16 (6.8%) cases versus 113 (2.6%) controls; adjusted OR 3.33, 95% CI 1.91-5.82, P = 0.001]. In prospective analyses, baseline self-reported depression (adjusted RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.11-2.89, P = 0.018) and, perhaps, baseline use of antidepressant medication (adjusted RR 1.90, 95% CI 0.59-6.05, P = 0.28) were associated with incident ET. Rather than being totally benign, ET seems to be associated with a mood disorder. Furthermore, as well as being a secondary response to disease manifestations, this mood disorder may be a primary feature of the underlying disease.

Depression in coronary artery disease: novel pathophysiologic mechanisms and therapeutic implications

Depression is a common comorbid condition in patients with coronary artery disease and a well-documented risk factor for recurrent cardiac events and mortality. The exact mechanisms underlying the interplay between depression and ischemic heart disease remain poorly understood and the same is true for the most effective depression treatment for cardiac patients. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the prognostic role of depression in patients with coronary artery disease, the pathophysiologic pathways involved, and the effects of antidepressant therapy on cardiovascular disease outcomes. With recent evidence suggesting that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may improve survival after myocardial infarction in patients with depression, diagnosis and treatment of this co-morbidity may be essential for the clinical management of coronary artery disease.