Factores de estrés y apoyo psicosocial en pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio. Cali, 2001-2002

Introduction: A descriptive controlled study to evaluate stress and social support in older patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: 40 patients with MI and 38 healthy controls were recruited to assess depression, family function, social stress, and religious practice. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed. Results: The groups were comparable for the sociodemographic variables. 21 (26.9%) had personal antecedent of AMI and 29 (37.2%) were without permanent couple. Both conditions were more frequent in patients with AMI (p=0.01, p=0.007). There were not diffe-rences between the groups on the incidence and intensity of family dys-function, depression, and changes on life events. Absence of reading the Bible in religious groups (p=0.03) or no having other religious practices (p=0.001) were more frequent in patients with AMI, in contrast, daily reading of Bible was more frequent in the healthy controls (p=0.009). Conclusions: Absence of a stable couple or no having religious practice were more frequent in patients with AMI than healthy controls. This study suggests that religious practice can be an important support source for the health of the older patients.