Mediterranean diet mediates the adverse effect of depressive symptomatology on short-term outcome in elderly survivors from an acute coronary event

Abstract

Aims. We evaluated the interaction effect between depressive symptoms and dietary habits on 30-day development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (death or rehospitalization) in elderly, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) survivors. Methods. During 2006-2008, we recorded 277 nonfatal, consecutive ACS admissions (75 ± 6years, 70 males, 70 had diagnosis of myocardial infarction) with complete 30-day follow-up. Assessment of recent depressive symptoms was based on the CES-D scale. Among sociodemographic, bioclinical, lifestyle characteristics, the MedDietScore that assesses the inherent characteristics of the Mediterranean diet was applied. Results. 22 of the ACS pts developed a CVD event during the first 30 days (14.8 rehospitalization and 9.4 death). Patients in the upper tertile of the CES-D scale (i.e., >18) had higher incidence of CVD events as compared with those in the lowest tertile (21 versus 8, P =.01). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that 1-unit increase in CES-D was associated with 4 higher odds (95 CI 1.0081.076, P =.01) of CVD events; however, when MedDietScore was entered in the model, CES-D lost its significance (P =.20). Conclusion. Short-term depressive symptoms are related to a worsen 30-day prognosis of ACS patients; however, this relationship was mediated by Mediterranean diet adherence. Copyright © 2011 Christina Chrysohoou et al.