[Quality of life, depression and cognitive functions 5. Depression]

Depression is common in patients with heart failure but its causal and/or prognostic role with respect to the cardiac condition in still a matter of research.

To describe the prevalence of depression and to assess its specific prognostic value in terms of increased risk of hospitalizations or death.

Overall, 27.5% of 1495 patients experience symptoms of depression. Risk factors for depression are female sex, age >70, higher NYHA class, previous hospitalizations and comorbidities. Depressed patients of the same NYHA class are at higher risk for 1 and 3 years mortality and all causes hospital admissions.

Depression, assessed with a simple and easy to administer instrument, can add information to clinical variables in the identification of patients at increased risk of mortality and readmissions within the same NYHA class.