Effect of Sertraline in Newly Diagnosed Depression Patients with Post MI and Stroke: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Depression is a condition that affects mental health defined by persistent feelings of sadness and reduced interest in daily activities. Myocardial Infarction (MI) and stroke significantly contribute to global mortality and disability rates. Compared to other antidepressant medications, sertraline demonstrates a lower risk of overdose-related mortality, a reduced potential for dependence, and typically better tolerated by patients. The study focused on evaluating the efficacy of sertraline in managing newly diagnosed depression among patients who have suffered a stroke or MI. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study includes participants assigned to two groups: Group A (post-MI depression) and Group B (post-stroke depression). We evaluated the severity of depression using HAM-D scores from baseline to Week 24, along with clinical parameters such as lipid profiles, HbA1c, blood pressure, and coagulation factors. We also measured medication adherence using MARS and assessed Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) using RAND-36. Results: This research comprised 129 participants, with 62 assigned to group A and 67 to group B. Statistical analysis indicated that sertraline resulted in symptom reduction of depression across both groups, with group B (Post-stroke patients) demonstrating a clinical enhancement in the HAM-D score at week 24. Post-stroke patients showed a more favorable response in TC, HDL, LDL, and TG levels compared to MI patients; Nevertheless, this variation did not achieve significance (p>0.05). Conclusion: Sertraline effectively reduced depressive symptoms in both groups, with post-stroke patients demonstrating overall improvements in HAM-D scores, lipid profile, medication adherence, and HRQoL.