Correlates of memory loss and depression among myocardial infarction patients in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: After myocardial infarction (MI), patients have an elevated risk for depression, which has a negative impact on morbidity and mortality for patients. As depression and memory function are associated, we examined them in the context of one another. Our objectives were to determine the proportion of patients with either depression only, memory loss only, or both depression and memory loss and to examine the correlates with each outcome. METHODS: This study was a cohort of 264 patients who had myocardial infarction. Data sources included medical records and phone interviews. RESULTS: The participants’ mean age was 62 ± 12.2 years and mean body mass index was 28.4 ± 5.8 kg/m(2). Of the participants, 6.4% had memory loss alone, 23.17% had depression alone, and 6.1% had combined memory loss and depression. Activity level and poor health were significantly associated with depression only (p < 0.05). Poor health was significantly associated with combined memory loss and depression (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Activity level and poor health were identified as correlates of depression as well as combined memory loss and depression. Future studies should aim to improve screening for depression among post-MI patients and develop appropriate interventions to raise the level of activity.