In-hospital symptoms of depression do not predict mortality 3 years after myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: The main aim of this study was to examine the relationship between symptoms of depression following myocardial infarction (MI) and 3-year survival status. METHODS: The Beck Depression Inventory was completed by 288 patients hospitalized for MI. Patients' cardiological status, including indices of disease severity, were recorded or derived from hospital notes. Three-year survival status was determined using patient information systems and cause of death ascertained from death certificates. RESULTS: During the 3 years of follow-up, 38 patients (13%) died, 33 (11%) from cardiac causes. Symptoms of depression did not predict either cardiac-specific or all-cause mortality. Similarly, in-hospital levels of anxiety were not associated with prognosis. In contrast, measures of disease severity and discharge medication status were strong prognostic indicators. Depression was not related to measures of disease severity at entry to the study. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms of depression following MI do not predict longer-term survival, although measures of disease severity and discharge medication status do. Previous positive results for depression and cardiac mortality in MI patients could reflect the occasional confounding of depression with disease severity.