Mental health disorders among patients with acute myocardial infarction in the United States

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence, temporal trends and sex- and racial/ethnic differences in the burden of mental health disorders (MHD) and outcomes among patients with myocardial infarction (MI) in the United States. METHODS: Using the National Inpatient Sample Database, we evaluated a contemporary cohort of patients hospitalized for acute MI in the United States over 10 years period from 2008 to 2017. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis for in-hospital outcomes, yearly trends and estimated annual percent change (APC) in odds of MHD among MI patients. RESULTS: We included a total sample of 6,117,804 hospitalizations for MI (ST elevation MI in 30.4%), with a mean age of 67.2 ​± ​0.04 years and 39% females. Major depression (6.2%) and anxiety disorders (6.0%) were the most common MHD, followed by bipolar disorder (0.9%), schizophrenia/psychotic disorders (0.8%) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (0.3%). Between 2008 and 2017, the prevalences significantly increased for major depression (4.7%–7.4%, APC +6.2%, p ​< ​.001), anxiety disorders (3.2%–8.9%, APC +13.5%, p ​< ​.001), PTSD (0.2%–0.6%, +12.5%, p ​< ​.001) and bipolar disorder (0.7%–1.0%, APC +4.0%, p ​< ​.001). Significant sex- and racial/ethnic-differences were also noted. Major depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia/psychotic disorders were associated with a lower likelihood of coronary revascularization. CONCLUSION: MHD are common among patients with acute MI and there was a concerning increase in the prevalence of major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and PTSD over this 10-year period. Focused mental health interventions are warranted to address the increasing burden of comorbid MHD among acute MI.