Early cognitive behavioral therapy for depression after cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Despite high rates of postcardiac surgery depression, studies of depression treatment in this population have been limited. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate early cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in a home environment in patients recovering from cardiac surgery. METHODS: : From July 2006 through October 2009, we conducted a randomized controlled trial and enrolled 808 patients who were screened for depressive symptoms using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in the hospital and 1 month later. Patients were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV; those who met criteria for clinical depression (n = 81) were randomized to CBT (n = 45) or usual care (UC; n = 36). After completion of the UC period, 25 individuals were offered later CBT (UC + CBT). RESULTS: Main outcomes (depressive symptoms [BDI] and clinical depression [Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV]) were evaluated after 8 weeks using intention-to-treat principles and linear mixed models. Compared with the UC group, in the CBT group, there was greater decline in BDI scores (ß = 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-2.02; P = < .001) and greater remission of clinical depression (29 [64%] vs 9 [25%]; number need to treat, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.7-4.9; P < .001). Compared with the early CBT group (median time from surgery to CBT, 45.5 days) the later UC + CBT group (median time from surgery to CBT, 122 days) also experienced a reduction in BDI scores, but the group × time effect was smaller (ß = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.10-1.47; P = .03) and remission rates between the 2 groups did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: Early home CBT is effective in depressed postcardiac surgery patients. Early treatment is associated with greater symptom reduction than similar therapy given later after surgery.

Utility of observer-rated and self-report instruments for detecting major depression in women after cardiac surgery: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Major depression is common after coronary artery bypass graft surgery and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Clinicians have few practical options for detecting depression, especially in women, who are at higher risk for depression than men. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical utility of common self-report and observer-rated instruments for detection of major depression in women after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. METHODS: In 66 women being discharged after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, 4 instruments were completed: the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory Short Form, and Beck Depression Inventory for Primary Care. For each instrument, receiver-operating-characteristic curves were analyzed, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for cutoff points determined from the curves. RESULTS: At hospital discharge, all 4 instruments yielded highly accurate curves. Compared with cutoffs suggested for patients without medical illness and hospitalized nonsurgical patients, identified cutoffs for screening were higher when all types of depressive symptoms (cognitive, affective, behavioral, somatic) were measured with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory but lower when only cognitive and/or affective symptoms were measured with the 2 subscales of the Beck Depression Inventory. CONCLUSIONS: The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and both subscales of the Beck Depression Inventory may be useful for detecting major depression in women shortly after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Further study is warranted to confirm cutoffs in these patients.

Clinical depression in women after cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND AND RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: After coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), women are particularly vulnerable to depression because they are more socially isolated and are more likely to have preoperative mood disorders than men. The purpose of this study was to (1) describe the incidence and course of clinical depression in women during the first 6 months after CABG; (2) describe the frequency of depressive symptoms after CABG in women; and (3) identify factors associated with post-CABG depression in women. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Before hospital discharge, 75 women undergoing CABG for the first time participated in a semistructured interview to determine the presence of major or minor depression using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition, criteria. In 55 women, additional interviews were conducted within the first month and at 6 months after discharge. Data were evaluated using frequencies, analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U test, and logistic regression. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Clinical depression occurred before hospital discharge, in the first month after discharge, and 6 months after discharge in 30.9%, 16.4%, and 12.8%, respectively, of the women who completed a 6-month follow-up. Younger women, those with more perioperative complications, and those with a history of depression were at greater risk for clinical depression. After hospital discharge, the occurrence of any clinical depression within the first month was associated with an increased occurrence of clinical depression 6 months later. Younger women, those with more perioperative complications and early depressive symptoms, and those with persistent occurrence of the most commonly reported symptoms (anhedonia, dysphoria, and fatigue) should be carefully evaluated.