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).

Health care use by patients with somatoform disorders: a register-based follow-up study.

Objective: Studies have shown a greater use of medical than mental health services in patients with somatoform disorders. However, not many studies are based on structured interviews and include the entire somatoform spectrum of diagnoses. We conducted a register-based case-control study to investigate medical care use prior to and three years after diagnosis in patients with somatoform disorders.

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.

The Mental Vulnerability Questionnaire: a psychometric evaluation.

The Mental Vulnerability Questionnaire was originally a 22 item scale, later reduced to a 12 item scale. In population studies the 12 item scale has been a significant predictor of health and illness. The scale has not been psychometrically evaluated for more than 30 years, and the aim of the present study was both to evaluate the psychometric properties of the 22 and 12 item scales and of three new scales.

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.

[The future role of liaison-psychiatry].

Recent reorganization of psychiatric services implies separation of psychiatric and general health care services. Liaison-psychiatry is not widely recognized in Denmark, albeit a psychiatric subspeciality in other countries. Research at the interface between psychiatric and somatic illness has resulted in significant developments in the understanding and treatment of patients with complex medical disorders.

Screening for mental disorders in cardiology outpatients.

The objective of the study was to compare the frequency of mental disorders in cardiology outpatients to the number of patients with psychological problems identified by cardiologists. In a cardiology outpatient service, 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 (PRIME-MD), Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) psychosis screening, the Clock Drawing Test, and the WHO-5 Well-being Index.

[Depression in cancer patients--with focus on cancer patients in the palliative stage].

Depression is a prevalent and significant symptom in many cancer patients, but it is difficult to diagnose and treat. The paper aims to provide a brief review of definition and diagnostic criteria, screening tools and prevalence, differential diagnoses and management of depression in cancer patients. The number of randomised controlled trials on treatment with antidepressants or psychotherapy for depression in cancer patients is still limited.

Mental vulnerability--a risk factor for ischemic heart disease.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine whether mental vulnerability is a risk factor for the development of ischemic heart disease (IHD) after adjustment for well-established risk factors.

Methods: In three prospective cohort studies in Copenhagen County, Denmark, we recorded the level of mental vulnerability and possible risk factors to IHD at baseline. For follow-up, the sample was linked to relevant registries to identify all cases of fatal and nonfatal IHD.

Mental vulnerability as a predictor of early mortality.

Background: Studies have demonstrated that mental vulnerability (ie, a tendency to experience psychosomatic symptoms or inadequate interpersonal interactions) is associated with various diseases. The objective of our study is to evaluate whether mental vulnerability is a risk factor for early mortality.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 3 random samples of the population in Copenhagen County, Denmark selected in 1976, 1982-1984, and 1991 (n = 6435).