The Comparison of Depression and Anxiety Levels in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Aim: In this study we aimed to compare depression and anxiety levels of patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with patients followed for stable coronary artery disease in outpatient clinics and control group without coronary artery disease. Material and Method: Study population was composed of 300 patients. Firstly all patients underwent standardized mini mental test and patients whose test scores were under 23 were excluded and patients whose scores were 23 or higher were included in the study. After the demograhic characteristics of patients had been recorded all patients were administered the following scales: Geriatric Depression Scale( GDS), Beck Depression Inventory(BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI 1 and STAI 2). The scores obtained from these scales were compared between all three groups. Results: All test scores were significantly higher in ACS group (p<0.001).In ACS group GDS, BDI and BAI scores were higher in male patients compared to females (p<0.05). When ACS group was divided as ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), Non ST elevation myocardial infarction and unstable angina pectoris the test scores were higher in STEMI subgroup but the relation was not statistically significant. The hospitalisation period length was found to be significantly related to all test scores in patients with ACS (p<0,001). Discussion: Depression and and levels of patients with ACS syndrome must be surely evaluated. This will help us both to improve life quality of these patients and decrease mortality and morbidity of these patients by diagnosing depression and anxiety disorders and treating them on time