Inadequate treatment of depression after myocardial infarction

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and the self- reported psychiatric treatment after myocardial infarction. Method: Depressive symptoms and medication were studied in 85 consecutive acute myocardial infarction patients during 18 months follow- up. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory ( BDI). Results: The proportion of patients with depressive symptoms ( BDI greater than or equal to 10) was 21.2% while in hospital, 30.0% at 6 months and 33.9% at 18 months. At 18 months, none of the patients were receiving adequate antidepressive medication. There were eight patients with BDI scores corresponding to moderate severe depression ( BDI greater than or equal to 19). Six of these patients were receiving benzodiazepine medication and two of them had been treated in the mental health care system after the myocardial infarction. Conclusion: There seems to be considerable problems in the diagnosis and or treatment of depression after myocardial infarction.