Psychosomatic Medicine Tips for Better Browsing
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Bunde, J.
Right arrow Articles by Martin, R.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Bunde, J.
Right arrow Articles by Martin, R.
Related Collections
Right arrow Depression
Right arrow Coronary Artery Disease
Right arrow Other Cardiovascular Medicine
Psychosomatic Medicine 68:51-57 (2006)
© 2006 American Psychosomatic Society

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Depression and Prehospital Delay in the Context of Myocardial Infarction

James Bunde, PhD(c) and René Martin, PhD, RN

From the Department of Psychology (J.B., R.M.) and College of Nursing (R.M.), University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to René Martin, PhD, Adult & Gerontological Nursing 374 NB, 50 Newton Road, College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242. E-mail: rene-martin{at}uiowa.edu.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate how depression might influence treatment-seeking behaviors in the context of evolving symptoms of myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: Post-MI patients (n = 433) completed a retrospective self-report measure of depressive symptoms with regard to the 2 weeks preceding the MI and a semistructured interview regarding their treatment-seeking behaviors.

Results: Survival analyses found that delay in seeking treatment for acute MI symptoms was observed among participants who (1) attributed their symptoms to noncardiac causes, (2) perceived their symptoms to be relatively mild, (3) experienced gastrointestinal distress, (4) did not experience sweating, and (5) reported being depressed during the 2 weeks before hospitalization. Subsidiary analyses indicated that, among depressive symptoms, sleep disturbance and fatigue predicted delay.

Conclusion: Depression warrants further attention as a variable that may influence treatment seeking for MI symptoms. Results highlight the need to adequately screen for and treat depression among persons at risk for MI.

Key Words: depression • treatment delay • myocardial infarction • common sense models of illness

Abbreviations: CHD = coronary heart disease; MI = myocardial infarction; PRIME-MD = Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders; PHQ-9 = Depression module of the Patient Health Questionnaire; GI = gastrointestinal; ADL = activities of daily living; LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction; PVD = peripheral vascular disease.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Qual Health ResHome page
S. A. Turris and J. L. Johnson
Maintaining Integrity: Women and Treatment Seeking for the Symptoms of Potential Cardiac Illness
Qual Health Res, November 1, 2008; 18(11): 1461 - 1476.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 QJMHome page
C.-K. Wong, E.W. Tang, P. Herbison, B. Birmingham, L. Barclay, and S.Y.F. Fu
Pre-existent depression in the 2 weeks before an acute coronary syndrome can be associated with delayed presentation of the heart attack
QJM, February 1, 2008; 101(2): 137 - 144.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Psychosom. Med.Home page
A. M. Nezu, C. M. Nezu, D. Jain, M. S. Xanthopoulos, T. A. Cos, J. Friedman, and M. Lee
Social Problem Solving and Noncardiac Chest Pain
Psychosom Med, November 1, 2007; 69(9): 944 - 951.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2006 by the American Psychosomatic Society