Prevalence of depression in elderly patients following acute coronary syndrome at discharge from Thong Nhat Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

BackgroundDepression is a common mental health issue among patients recovering from acute coronary syndrome (ACS), particularly often underdiagnosed in the older population. Early detection of depression at the time of discharge is crucial to minimize the risk of adverse outcomes. ObjectivesThe primary aim of our study was to estimate the frequency of depression among older adults with acute coronary syndrome and identify relevant factors that are associated with depression at the time of discharge. Method of StudyWe conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study on 117 elderly patients with ACS discharged from Thong Nhat Hospital between March 2024 and June 2024. A Vietnamese version of the Geriatric Depression Scale 30-items (GDS-30) was administered to all participants to assess the depression prevalence. Statistical analyses were performed to describe sociodemographic and clinical characteristics related to depression. An estimate of the prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence Intervals (95% CI) was obtained through multivariate Poisson regression with robust variance to determine the factors that are independently associated with depression. ResultsThe prevalence of depression at discharge among elderly ACS patients was 15,4% (95% CI: 8,7% - 22,0%). In the multivariate regression analysis: female gender (PR = 4,36; 95% CI: 1,36 - 13,97), illiteracy (PR = 3,76; 95% CI: 1,61 - 8,76), high-risk CCI (PR = 3,6; 95% CI: 1,07 - 12,11), experiencing two or more stressful life events (PR = 3,69; 95% CI: 1,58 - 8,59), and low perceived social support (PR = 3,67; 95% CI: 1,73 - 7,82) were significantly associated with higher prevalence of depression. ConclusionsDepression is a prevalent mental health issue among older adults following acute coronary syndrome events. This study highlights the prevalence of depressive symptoms in this population and emphasizes the importance of early detection and tailored intervention strategies for individuals predicted as being at high risk. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term consequences of post-ACS depression and to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life for elderly patients.