Role of depression in secondary prevention of Chinese coronary heart disease patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention

INTRODUCTION: Coronary heart disease (CHD) patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have higher rates of depression than the general population. However, few researchers have assessed the impact of depression on the secondary prevention of CHD in China. OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this investigation was to explore the relationship between depression and secondary prevention of CHD in Chinese patients after PCI. METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional one-site study recruited both elective and emergency PCI patients one year after discharge. Data from 1934 patients were collected in the clinic using questionnaires and medical history records between August 2013 and September 2015. Depression was evaluated by the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Secondary prevention of CHD was compared between depression and non-depression groups. RESULTS: We found that depression affected secondary prevention of CHD in the following aspects: lipid levels, blood glucose levels, smoking status, physical activity, BMI, and rates of medication use. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive patients with CHD are at increased risk of not achieving the lifestyle and risk factor control goals recommended in the 2006 AHA guidelines. Screening should focus on patients after PCI because treating depression can improve outcomes by improving secondary prevention of CHD.