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Published on: December 2, 2015
Effect of depression on prognosis in heart failure
Kenneth E Freedland1, Robert M Carney, Michael W Rich
1Department of Psychiatry, Behavioral Medicine Center, Washington University School of Medicine, 4320 Forest Park Avenue, St Louis, MO 63108, USA. freedlak@bmc.wustl.edu
Insights
Depression is common in heart failure patients, increasing mortality risk. Major depression poses a greater risk than minor depression, highlighting the need for effective interventions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Depression frequently co-occurs with heart failure.
- Depression is linked to increased mortality, rehospitalization, and functional decline in heart failure patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the prognostic value of depression in heart failure.
- To investigate the differential impact of major versus minor depression on heart failure outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies comparing depression severity and outcomes in heart failure.
- Analysis of potential behavioral and biological pathways linking depression and heart failure mortality.
Main Results:
- The severity of depression influences its predictive power for mortality.
- Major depression appears to be a stronger predictor of mortality than minor depression.
Conclusions:
- Depression severity is a critical factor in assessing prognosis for heart failure patients.
- Further research is required to establish causality and develop targeted interventions for depression in heart failure.
Abstract:
Depression is a common comorbid condition in heart failure, and there is growing evidence that it increases the risks of mortality and other adverse outcomes, including rehospitalization and functional decline. The prognostic value of depression depends, in part, on how it is defined and measured. The few studies that have compared different subsets of patients with depression suggest that major (or severe) depression is a stronger predictor of mortality than is minor (or mild) depression. Whether depression is a causal risk factor for heart failure mortality, or simply a risk marker, has not yet been established, but mechanistic research has identified several plausible behavioral and biologic pathways. Further research is needed to clarify the relationships among depression, heart failure, and adverse outcomes, as well as to develop efficacious interventions for depressive disorders in patients with heart failure.
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