FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DEPRESSIVE EPISODE IN PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED WITH ACUTE CORONARY EVENTS.

Severe infarction or its consequences are considered as triggering factors of incidental depression. The aim of our study was to reveal factors associated with depressive episode in patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome (acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina). The Beck Depression inventory (BDI) was used for assessment of depressive symptoms in patients with coronary disease in Emergency Cardiology Clinic Tbilisi, Georgia. The study sample included 84 patients. The clinical Information was collected from hospital recordings. The chi-square test was used for assessment the difference between groups. Independent t-test was used to compare means for numerical variable "age". A binary logistic regression was applied in order to assess a relationship between disease severity factors (ejection fraction and revascularization) and depressive episode. Study sample included 79% of men and 21% of women with a mean age 59 years. Coronary obstruction as well as cardiac risk factors was revealed in majority of participants. The mean depression score was 13.0, while BDI score > 16 was revealed in 28.6% of patients. In the binary regression model ejection fraction was inversely associated with depressive episode even after adjustment to the age, gender and coronary risk factors. When disease severity markers (ejection fraction, revascularization) together with classic risk factors were included into the model, they explained only 42% of depressive episodes. It may be concluded that disease severity markers together with classic cardiac risk factors explain only partially depressive episode in patients, hospitalized for acute coronary events. A multidisciplinary approach is needed in order to provide optimal care and improve prognosis of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).