Objectives:Depression after acute coronary artery syndrome(ACS) is common and associated with higher mortality,
while little is known about predictors of the onset of depression. This study aimed to investigate the incidence
and predictors of depression at the points of first hospitalization and 12 month after ACS.
Methods:Eighty one patients with ACS were recruited from the heart center of a university hospital. Depression
was categorized using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD)>7. Data on sociodemographic characteristics
(age, gender, education, marital state, religion, accommodation and occupation), severity of ACS(Global Registry
of Acute Coronary Events risk score), disability(World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II-12),
and personality(Big Five Inventory) were obtained.
Results:Incident rates of depression were 25% and 23% at the first hospitalization and at 12 months after ACS, respectively.
Predictors of depression were disability at the first hospitalization and neuroticism at 12 months after ACS.
Conclusion:Depression was common after ACS in this sample. More intensive psychiatric care and intervention
is needed for the high risk groups of depression.