Predicting mortality 12 years after an acute cardiac event: Comparison between inhospital and 2-month assessment of depressive symptoms in women

Abstract

PURPOSE: Research demonstrates that depression at the time of a cardiac event predicts early mortality. However, the best time for depression screening is unknown. We investigated the prognostic importance of inhospital and 2-month depressive symptoms in predicting 12-year mortality in female cardiac patients. METHODS: A consecutive series of 170 women admitted to hospital after acute myocardial infarction or for coronary artery bypass graft surgery completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale inhospital and 2 months later. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale's depression subscale scores of 4 to 7 were classified as "mild" depressive symptoms and 8+ as "moderate/severe" depressive s..