Studies confirm a strong relationship between depression, quality of life and coronary artery disease (CAD)

To assess how the comorbidity of depressive symptoms and CAD influences the quality of life (QoL) in patients after the successful coronary angioplasty (PCI).

227 patients with CAD selected for PTCA were enrolled. 156 patients with full clinical and angiographic success and without restenosis within 4 weeks after the intervention were included in one year follow-up. Patients' status was assessed four times (one day before and at 1, 6 and 12 months after the intervention), with: polish version of SF-36, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RS), Beck Hopelessness Scale (HS), Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ).

In the whole study group (n=156) the QoL at 1 month after PTCA was significantly improved. This tendency persisted in further examinations. There was a significant correlation between the quality of life (SF-36), severity of depressive symptoms (BDI) and parameters describing depressive changes in thinking (HS, RS, ATQ). On each occasion during the one-year follow-up the presence of depressive symptoms was associated with the poorer quality of life, both with respect to the total SF-36 points and individual components of QoL measured by 8 subscales of the SF-36.

Present findings indicate that depressive disorders in patients with CAD – even after successful intervention –significantly affect the quality of life. Optimized comprehensive approach to CAD patients with concomitant depressive disorders may require inclusion of psychological intervention, and in severe cases even psychiatric treatment.