Contribution of depression and anxiety to impaired quality of life in survivors of myocardial infarction

Abstract

Objective. To quantify the adverse influence of depression and anxiety assessed at the time of myocardial infarction, on the quality of life 5 years after the infarction. Methods. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were completed in a group of 196 patients admitted in the hospital following non-fatal myocardial infarction, and the SF-12 quality of life questionnaire was administered during the 5- year follow-up. Results. Regression analysis showed a strong association between baseline depression and QoL in both the physical and mental domains; the higher the depression scores, the poorer the QoL. However, anxiety present at the time of myocardial infarction did not predict later QoL. Conclusions. Depression but not anxiety following MI predicts longer-term quality of life in myocardial infarction survivors.

Key words::

• Depression
• anxiety
• myocardial infarction
• quality of life

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Farzan Institute for Research and Technology for technical assistance.

Statement of interest

None of the authors reports conflicts of interest.