Prevention of depression in patients with acute coronary syndrome (DECARD) randomized trial: effects on and by self-reported health.

Aim: Escitalopram may prevent depression following acute coronary syndrome. We sought to estimate the effects of escitalopram on self-reported health and to identify subgroups with higher efficacy.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a 12-month double-blind clinical trial randomizing non-depressed acute coronary syndrome patients to escitalopram (n = 120) or matching placebo (n = 120).

Cardiovascular safety of one-year escitalopram therapy in clinically nondepressed patients with acute coronary syndrome: results from the DEpression in patients with Coronary ARtery Disease (DECARD) trial.

Background: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are commonly used for treatment of depression in patients with cardiac diseases. However, evidence of cardiovascular (CV) safety from randomized trials is based on studies of no longer than 6-month duration. We examined the CV safety of 1-year treatment with Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor escitalopram compared with placebo in patients with recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Effects of escitalopram in prevention of depression in patients with acute coronary syndrome (DECARD).

Objective: Depression is a major problem in patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with negative impact on survival and quality of life. No studies have examined prevention of post-ACS depression. We examined whether treatment with escitalopram can prevent post-ACS depression.

Comparison of participants and non-participants in a randomized study of prevention of depression in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: The prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is higher than in the general population. In a study on prevention of post-ACS depression, more than half of eligible patients declined participation.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether symptoms of depression and anxiety in participants and non-participants predicted participation in the study.

Mental disorders and general well-being in cardiology outpatients--6-year survival.

Objective: Long-term survival in a sample of cardiology outpatients with and without mental disorders and other psychosocial risk factors.

Methods: In a cardiology outpatient setting, 103 consecutive patients were asked to participate in the study. Of these, 86 were included and screened for mental disorder with the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders; Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R, Non-Patient Edition, psychosis screening; the Clock Drawing Test; and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index.

Rationale, design and methodology of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of escitalopram in prevention of Depression in Acute Coronary Syndrome (DECARD).

Background: The prevalence of depression in patients with acute coronary syndrome, i.e. myocardial infarction and unstable angina, is higher than in the general population.