Depression Among Ischemic Heart Disease Patients

Background: Depression and ischemic heart disease present a major comorbidity. Objective: To determine the prevalence and to estimate the severity of depression, and some of sociodemographic variables among patients with ischemic heart disease. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. Study included all patients with ischemic heart disease excluding those with unstable medical illness. Socio-demographic variables, history of comorbid illnesses and complications were compiled. Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) to identify mental illnesses; DSM-IV criteria for depression and Hamilton-17 Scale for severity of depression, were used. Results: A total of 271 patients were approached; 94.1% responded. About a half was having myocardial infarction (50.6%), stable angina (31.4%), and (18%) unstable angina. 45.1% had depression; 14.9% mild, 20% moderate, 7.06% sever, and 3.14% very severe depression. Conclusion: Depression is high among ischemic heart disease patients, significantly associated with demographic variables. Treating physicians and cardiologists need to be aware of this co-morbidity.