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Depressive symptoms and mortality in patients with congestive heart failure: a six-year follow-up study

Terje A Murberg1, Gill Furze

  • 1University of York, York, UK. terje.a.murberg@hs.his.no

Medical Science Monitor : International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research
|November 30, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Depression symptoms significantly increase mortality risk in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Early identification and treatment of depression are crucial for managing CHF patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Congestive heart failure (CHF) patients often experience depressive symptoms.
  • The long-term impact of depression on mortality in CHF is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term effect of depressive symptoms on mortality risk in patients with CHF.
  • To determine if depression is an independent predictor of mortality in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 119 clinically stable, outpatient CHF patients was followed for six years.
  • Proportional hazard models were employed to analyze the relationship between depression symptoms and mortality.
  • Covariates included neuroticism, heart failure severity (proANP), gender, and age.

Main Results:

  • Depressive symptoms were a significant predictor of mortality in CHF patients (RR 1.05 per 1-point increase, p=0.016).
  • This association remained significant after controlling for neuroticism, heart failure severity, gender, and age.
  • Fifty-one cardiac deaths occurred during the study period.

Conclusions:

  • Depressive symptomatology has a long-term detrimental effect on mortality in congestive heart failure.
  • Healthcare professionals should prioritize early screening and treatment for depression in CHF patients.
  • Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of depression treatment in reducing CHF mortality risk.
Abstract

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