Depression following an acute coronary syndrome in hospitalized patients: Prevalence and associated variables

Multiple studies confirm an association between depression and coronary artery disease (CAD). Our research sought to determine the prevalence and associated variables with depressive syndrome (DS) after suffering an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We assessed 120 patients hospitalized in two Spanish hospitals. Our results show a prevalence of 28% assessed with scores ≥13 in the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). This DS is more common in women, living alone or single, with low level or no studies, non-employed, with income from pensions, with increased severity of CAD, and low perceived social support (PSS). The variables that account for 33% of the variance in DS are: I) having lower or no education, 2) increased severity of CAD, 3) lower level of PSS, and 4) the place of residence. We conclude that the prevalence and most of the associated variables are similar to other studies, however, the explanatory variable, the low educational level, has not been sufficiently identified in previous research.