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The Bypassing the Blues treatment protocol: stepped collaborative care for treating post-CABG depression
Bruce L Rollman1, Bea Herbeck Belnap, Michelle S LeMenager
1Division of General Internal Medicine, Center for Research on Health Care, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. rollmanbl@upmc.edu
Psychosomatic Medicine
|February 4, 2009
Summary
This study investigates a collaborative care strategy to treat depression in cardiac patients after bypass surgery. The goal is to improve their quality of life and reduce depressive symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychiatry
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is common, with up to 50% of patients experiencing depressive symptoms.
- Post-CABG depression is linked to poorer quality of life, functional status, and increased cardiovascular risk.
- Current treatment gaps exist for managing depression in this vulnerable patient population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and evaluate the Bypassing the Blues (BtB) study.
- To examine the impact of a collaborative care strategy on depression in post-CABG patients.
- To assess improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and other clinical outcomes.
Main Methods:
- The Bypassing the Blues (BtB) study enrolled 450 post-CABG patients.
- 300 patients with depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 >= 10) were randomized.
- Intervention group received nurse-delivered telephone collaborative care; control group received usual care for 8 months.
Main Results:
- Results are not yet available as this is a study design abstract.
Conclusions:
- This effectiveness trial will offer vital data on a scalable, evidence-based collaborative care approach.
- The findings will inform the treatment of depression in patients with cardiac disease.
- The study aims to provide crucial information on a widely generalizable strategy.
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