Effects of depression and anxiety on mortality and quality-of-life 4 months after myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of depression and anxiety on mortality and quality-of-life in patients hospitalized for an acute myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: Questionnaire measures of depression and anxiety were completed during hospitalization by 288 MI patients. The main outcomes were mortality and quality-of-life, assessed by the Dartmouth COOP charts, at 4 months. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients died, 22 from cardiac causes, during the 4-month follow-up. Symptoms of depression and anxiety did not predict either cardiac or all-cause mortality. Severity of infarction, extent of heart failure, and a longer stay in hospital predicted mortality. Symptoms of depression and anxiety predicted 4-month quality-of-life among survivors, as did gender, partner status, occupational status, living alone, previous exercise behaviour, length of hospital admission, and Peel Index scores. In a multiple regression model, depression emerged as the strongest predictor of quality-of-life. State anxiety, severity of infarction, and partner status also entered the model. CONCLUSION: Neither depression nor anxiety predicted mortality 4 months after MI. Both depression and anxiety predicted quality-of-life at 4 months among survivors.