Severity of Depressive Symptoms Pre- and Postcardiac Rehabilitation: A COMPARISON AMONG PATIENTS IN BRAZIL, CANADA, COLOMBIA, THE UNITED STATES, AND VENEZUELA.

PURPOSE: Depression is 3 times more prevalent in the cardiac than the general population in high-income countries and is particularly high in middle-income countries. Comorbid depression is associated with twice the mortality after a cardiovascular event. The objectives of this study were to describe and compare depressive symptoms pre- and postcardiac rehabilitation (CR) among patients in high-income countries and middle-income countries in the Americas. METHODS: The study design was prospective and observational. A convenience sample of CR participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) at CR intake and again at program discharge. Clinical data were extracted from medical charts. RESULTS: There were 779 participants: 45 Brazilian (5.8% of sample), 214 Canadian (27.5%), 126 Colombian (16.2%), 309 American (39.7%), and 85 Venezuelan (10.9%). Pre-CR depressive symptoms significantly differed between countries (P < .05), with Colombian participants reporting higher scores than Canadians and Venezuelans. Total PHQ-9 scores significantly decreased during CR in Colombia (mean change =-2.33; P < .001), the United States (mean change =-1.12; P < .001), and Venezuela (mean change =-2.14; P < .001), but not in Brazil (where less psychosocial intervention was offered) or Canada (where pre-CR scores were low). Among the 102 (13.1%) participants with scores in the elevated range pre-CR, the mean change in PHQ-9 scores was -6.57 ± 1.09 and 40 (39.2%) participants no longer had elevated symptoms postprogram. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms are variable among patients with CR in South and North American countries. CR programs incorporating psychosocial components can reduce these symptoms.

Cardiac rehabilitation in Latin America.

This article provides a description of the status of cardiovascular (CV) rehabilitation (CVR) in Latin America (LA) and the potential impact on CV disease in the region. We discuss the insufficient number of CVR programs in the region and describe the components of CVR that are more commonly available, like exercise interventions, medical assessment and patient education. Additionally, we discuss the heterogeneity in other components, like the evaluation of depression, sleep apnea, and smoking cessation programs. Lastly, we provide a brief review on the main characteristics of the health systems of each country regarding access to CVR programs and compare the average cost of CV procedures and treatments with CVR.