Life Adjustment Postmyocardial Infarction: Determining Predictive Variables

Sixty-eight patients with diagnosed myocardial infarctions were followed up for one year postinfarct onset to determine psychosocial adjustment. A previous pilot had differentiated between two groups of patients—depressives and deniers—who had poor vs good rehabilitation results, respectively. Results from this study substantiated previous findings in that 70% of those who were depressed postinfarct remained so throughout follow-up. These patients failed to remain at work and/or to function sexually and had a higher hospital readmission rate. The denial group, although still functioning with minimal psychosocial distress, was not distinguished from the remainder of the study population who generally also functioned well. Women postinfarct seemed to have the most difficult time, accounting for 80% of the deaths and 50% of the depressed group. Their noticeable type A behavior may account for this finding. ( Arch Intern Med 137:1680-1685, 1977)