اثر بخشی داروی سیتالوپرام بر وضعیت افسردگی و کیفیت زندگی بیماران مبتلا به سندرم حاد عروق کرونر قلب

Background and purpose: Prevalence of depression in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is reported to be 10-40%. Post-ACS depression is associated with higher mortality and morbidity in patients, therefore, it requires more attention. Materials and methods: In a clinical trial (conducted in Babol University of Medical Sciences, 2015-2016), 47 hospitalized patients with ACS diagnosis were randomly allocated into two groups.&nbsp; Twenty-four patients in intervention group received 20 mg/day citalopram and 23 individuals in the control group were followed without receiving citalopram. Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) was applied at weeks 0, 3, and 8. The participants&rsquo; quality of life was evaluated at weeks 0 and 8. Seven patients were excluded from the study since they did not return for follow-up. Results: A total of 40 patients was studied including 14 (35%) males and 26 (65%) females. Mean ages of patients in in intervention group and controls were 63.1&plusmn;8.8 and 68.4&plusmn;7.9 years, respectively. Depression and anxiety levels reduced significantly in intervention group and their quality of life increased in week 8 (P<0.001). These changes were significantly different between the two groups in physical functioning, social functioning, emotional well-being and energy/fatigue subscales (P<0.05). A significant correlation was observed between reduced depression and anxiety and improvements in quality of life (P<0.001). Conclusion: Citalopram could be effective in reducing depression and improving quality of life in acute coronary syndrome.