Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety in Patients Of Coronary Artery Disease: A Cross Sectional Study

There is extensive Western literature available on the subject however, in Indian-scenario information on the prevalence of depression among patients of CAD is sparse. The study group comprised of 119 fresh cases of coronary artery disease, within four weeks of being diagnosed as having coronary artery disease. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered among depressed cases of coronary artery disease They were assessed for changes with time in depressive symptomatology, and anxiety symptoms. Patients found to be depressed as per BDI and HADS scales were also subjected to a detailed psychiatric examination and depressed patients were treated with on anti-depressant (Citalopram) and followed up 1 & 3 months at the time of review at the Cardiology OPD. Non-depressed patients were also asked to be reviewed in every 3 months. Data was analyzed for prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms, and their relation to the cardiovascular status. Result reveals the mean age of the participants was 47.25 years (SD = 4.599 years). Out of the 119 cases of CAD, 13 (10.92%) fulfilled the criteria for depression. Conclusion: The prevalence of clinical depression among cases of CAD in the patients is 11%, which is somewhat lower than most studies among the general population. 40% of patients of CAD in the study sample had sub-syndromal depressive symptoms. Hence psychological assessment and intervention is implicated in Cardiac cases.